As of 8pm EST Monday evening, Tropical Storm Gordon was located about 95 miles west of Ft. Myers, FL. Max sustained winds were at 60 mph. The storm has shown signs of strengthening as it has moved out over the Gulf of Mexico today. It has pretty favorable environment to work with – low wind shear and very warm water – as it heads toward the northern Gulf Coast over the next 24 hours. At this point, it would not be surprising to see it reach hurricane intensity before making landfall somewhere between New Orleans, LA or Mobile, AL late Tuesday night. The current forecast from the National Hurricane Center has max sustained winds of 75 mph by landfall.

Tropical storm warnings are in effect along the northern Gulf Coast from Morgan City, LA eastward to Destin, FL. Hurricane warnings are in effect from the Mississippi/Louisiana state line eastward to the Alabama-Florida state line.

Storm Surge:

Shell Beach, LA to Dauphin Island, AL… 3-5 feet

Navarre, FL to Dauphin Island, AL… 2-4 feet

Shell Beach, LA to Mouth of Mississippi River… 2-4 feet

Mouth of Mississippi River to Texas-Louisiana border… 1-2 feet

Rainfall:

Total rainfall accumulations of 3-6″ across southern Alabama, southern and central Mississippi, southeastern and northeastern Louisiana. Isolated amounts up to 8″ are possible.

We are nearing the peak of hurricane season on September 10th and right on cue the tropics are getting active. A tropical wave we have been watching the past several days has developed into Tropical Storm Gordon. It is moving over southern Florida dumping heavy rain and causing gusty winds. It will increase rain and thunderstorm coverage in Tampa and make for a breezy afternoon.

Gordon has 45 mph winds and is moving WNW at 17 mph. As the system moves into the eastern Gulf later today it will continue to strengthen and become better organized.

The highest rainfall totals will be focused in southern Florida and along the northern Gulf coast. Tropical storm warnings have been issued for southern Florida and the Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama coastlines. The fast moving storm will make landfall along the northern Gulf Coast late Tuesday into early Wednesday morning.

Tropical Storm Florence is holding together with 60 mph winds.The storm still isn’t impacting any land and will remain over the open Atlantic into the end of the week.