Storm forming in the Gulf of Mexico, forecast to hit the US as a hurricane

A tropical storm forming in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico is threatening to unleash strong winds and heavy rain as it heads toward the U.S., where it is likely to make landfall as a hurricane on Wednesday.

The system already has winds of up to 50 miles (80 kilometers) per hour, but does not have the structure to be designated a tropical storm. Once it gathers into a tighter pattern, forecasters expect it to become a hurricane and be named Francine, the next name on the Atlantic seasonal list.

The storm is on track to pass through the Gulf oil and natural gas production area before making landfall in Louisiana or Texas. It comes after the Atlantic hurricane season has been strangely quiet for several weeks, thanks to dry air and unusually cold water off the coast of Africa.

Related: Atlantic may see its next storm within a week

“While it is too early to determine the exact location and extent of impact, the potential for life-threatening storm surge and damaging winds increases for portions of coastal Louisiana and Upper Texas beginning Tuesday evening,” Richard Pasch, senior hurricane specialist. at the US National Hurricane Center.

This will be the second storm to form in the western Gulf and the third to hit the continental US this year. It is forecast to peak as a Category 1 storm on the five-step Saffir-Simpson scale as it passes through the region’s oil and gas rigs, said Adam Douty, AccuWeather Inc. commercial forecast meteorologist.

There’s a chance it will get stronger as it spins over unusually warm Gulf waters, which provides fuel for the storms.

Related: Atlantic Enters Most Active Hurricane Season

If the storm strengthens significantly, it could happen by mid-day Tuesday or Wednesday, said Ryan Truchelut, president of WeatherTiger LLC. However, as it approaches the coast, it could encounter crosswinds or wind shear, which would threaten to weaken it.

Copyright 2024 Bloomberg.