ORLANDO, Fla – The Atlantic unfortunately looks like it’s trying to break out of its extended slumber.
Tropical Storm Francine formed earlier Monday and is expected to lift north, likely impacting the northwest Gulf coast as hurricane by the middle of the week. High pressure over Florida will prevent any movement towards the Sunshine State.
A dip in the jet stream over the western U.S. is helping to lift Francine north out of the Bay of Campeche and extreme southwest Gulf of Mexico.
There is a chance Francine undergoes a period of rapid intensification while travelling over extremely warm water combined with a very favorable upper air pattern.
Wind shear looks to increase just before landfall along the north Gulf coast which could help to weaken Francine a little. Still, a hurricane is expected at landfall somewhere along the eastern Texas or Louisiana coastline.
The National Hurricane Center is also highlighting two other areas of interest in the central Atlantic.
Both have a decent chance of becoming named storms over the next seven days.
The next two names of the 2024 hurricane season are Gordon and Helene. Hurricane season runs through November.