The latest forecast track from the National Hurricane Center now puts the Alabama Gulf Coast close enough to the center that we could see tropical storm conditions from Orange Beach westward to Dauphin Island and the shores of Mobile County with hurricane conditions just west of that.
A more northward track for Laura after landfall will bring a higher risk for tropical rains and dusty winds to Central Alabama to go along with what could move up into the area from Marco. I’ll have further updates through the rest of the weekend.
Here is the list of watches and warnings now in effect:
A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for…
* Sabine Pass to the Alabama/Florida border
* Lake Pontchartrain, Lake Maurepas, Lake Borgne, and Mobile Bay
A Hurricane Watch is in effect for…
* Intracoastal City Louisiana to the Mississippi/Alabama border
* Lake Pontchartrain, Lake Maurepas, and Metropolitan New Orleans
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for…
* Province of Pinar del Rio Cuba
A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for…
* Mississippi/Alabama border to the Alabama/Florida border
Marco is expected to continue moving toward the north-northwest across the central Gulf of Mexico on Sunday and is forecast to reach the northern Gulf coast on Monday. After moving inland, Marco is expected to slow down and turn toward the northwest and west-northwest Monday night and Tuesday, moving across southern Louisiana into east Texas.
Marco is expected to produce the following rainfall accumulations through Monday: Central U.S. Gulf Coast: 1 to 3 inches, isolated maximum amounts of 5 inches. This rainfall may result in areas of flash and urban flooding along the Central U.S. Gulf Coast.
Key Messages:
1. Marco is expected to approach the central Gulf Coast as a hurricane on Monday. Hurricane conditions, life-threatening storm surge, and heavy rainfall are possible along portions of the Gulf Coast beginning on Monday, and Hurricane and Storm Surge watches have been issued. Interests in these areas should follow any advice given by local government officials.
2. Tropical Storm Laura could bring additional storm surge, rainfall, and wind impacts to portions of the U.S. Gulf Coast by the middle of next week. This could result in a prolonged period of hazardous weather for areas that could be affected by Marco. Interests there should monitor the progress of Marco and Laura and updates to the forecast during the next few days.
Central Alabama Weather 