Track the tropics: System expected to develop in Gulf of Mexico

Heavy rain expected in norther Gulf Coast on Friday

ORLANDO, Fla. – A broad low-pressure area located over the eastern portion of the Bay of Campeche is producing widespread cloudiness and disorganized showers and a few thunderstorms.

High winds and heavy rains buffeted coastal Louisiana and Mississippi on Friday as a disorganized and unpredictable tropical weather system churned through the Gulf of Mexico, forcing cancellation of Juneteenth celebrations in Mississippi and Alabama and threatening Father’s Day tourism.

The system, moving north toward Louisiana through the Gulf of Mexico carried tropical storm-force sustained winds of 45 mph (72 kph) but forecasters said it couldn’t be classified as a tropical storm because it lacked a single, well-defined center.

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A tropical or subtropical depression was likely to form by Friday when the low moves across the western Gulf of Mexico.

An Air Force Reserve Unit reconnaissance aircraft is scheduled to investigate the disturbance Thursday afternoon, if necessary.

Regardless of development, heavy rainfall will continue over portions of Central America and southern Mexico during the next few days. Heavy rains should also begin to affect portions of the northern Gulf Coast on Friday.

[READ: List of storm names for 2021 hurricane season]

There’s an 80% of tropical development in the next two days and a 90% chance within five days, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The next named storm will be called Claudette.


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About the Authors:

Daniel started with WKMG-TV in 2000 and became the digital content manager in 2009. When he's not working on ClickOrlando.com, Daniel likes to head to the beach or find a sporting event nearby.

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