Possible Impacts to Alabama from Tropical System in the Gulf of Mexico

A tropical system in the southwest Gulf of Mexico is expected to intensify and make landfall along the Texas-Louisiana coast late Wednesday.

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The National Weather Service in Birmingham said, “Conditions could change as the tropical system moves northeast, with more details available each day.”

“Potential Tropical Cyclone #Six is expected to become a tropical storm later today. There is an increasing risk of life-threatening storm surge, hurricane-force winds, and risk of considerable flash along the Louisiana and upper Texas coast by mid-week,” said the National Hurricane Center.

What Does This Mean for Alabama?

If this system develops further, it will be named Tropical Storm Francine. It could be named later today and impact Alabama on Thursday.

Current Thoughts 

The National Weather Service in Birmingham says that our area could experience “gusts up to 30 mph, and the tornado threat is too low to mention at this time.”

The most concerning weather threat is the influx of rainfall. It is predicted that 2 to 3 inches of rain will fall, with locally higher amounts along and west of I-65.

“The main impact will be east of the circulation center; heavy rain will fall across Southeast Louisiana and parts of Mississippi, Alabama, and the Florida Panhandle,” said James Spann, ABC 33/40, and Townsquare Media Tuscaloosa Chief Meteorologist.

Spann also mentioned, "The rip current danger will be high along the Central Gulf Coast tomorrow night through Friday.”

The Townsquare Media Weather Center is monitoring this tropical system closely. As always, we will update you to keep you informed as this is a developing weather situation.

Mary K – Weather Forecaster – Townsquare Media Tuscaloosa