#BREAKING: Hurricane Watch has been issued for the Northern Gulf Coast, including the Florida Panhandle, Alabama and Mississippi. It’s expected to quickly strengthen into a hurricane with a landfall Friday into Saturday along the Northern Gulf Coast. Here’s the bottom line and what's new:
1) Hurricane Watch has been issued for the Northern Gulf Coast, including the Florida Panhandle, Alabama and Mississippi.
2) Storm Surge Watch has been issued from the Mouth of the Mississippi River, Louisiana to Yankeetown, Florida. An initial storm surge forecast as high as 5-7 feet possible near and especially east of the center.
3) The official NHC forecast calls for a Category 2 Hurricane with 110 mph wind at peak intensity in the Gulf. I can't rule out a Major Hurricane (Cat 3+).
4) Towards landfall late Friday into early Saturday, wind shear will be increasing and dry air will likely lead to some weakening. That does NOT mean it will be a weak storm. It’ll still be impactful with heavy rain / freshwater flooding, surge / saltwater flooding, damaging wind and tornadoes.
5) Greatest potential for landfall will be from Mississippi to the Florida Panhandle (and all areas between). Important: Don’t just focus on the center. This will likely be a lopsided and sheared storm at landfall, with most impacts near and especially east of the center…even out of the cone.
6) The worst of this storm will stay well away from Central and Southern Florida. No direct threat.
I'll continue to keep you updated with no hype, just the facts. Thanks everyone!
- Matt Devitt Weather