Watching Tropical Disturbance in Southwestern Gulf Of Mexico

Tropical Weather Outlook

The National Hurricane Center reports that showers and thunderstorms associated with a broad area of low pressure located over the southwestern Gulf of Mexico continue to show signs of organization. Environmental conditions are expected to be conducive for additional development, and a tropical or subtropical storm is likely to form later today or tonight while the system moves generally northeastward over the western Gulf of Mexico. The low is forecast to approach the northern or northeastern Gulf Coast on Friday or Saturday and regardless of development, the system is likely to produce gusty winds and rough surf over those areas. Locally heavy rainfall is also possible across portions of the southeast U.S. late this week and this weekend. Interests along the northern and northeastern Gulf coast should monitor the progress of this system. For more information about marine hazards while the low moves across the Gulf of Mexico, see products issued by the Tropical Analysis and Forecast Branch of the National Hurricane Center. An Air Force Reserve reconnaissance aircraft is scheduled to investigate the system this afternoon, if necessary.

* Formation chance through 48 hours...high...80 percent.

* Formation chance through 5 days...high...80 percent.

ContactRelief Recommendations

ContactRelief has issued a Tropical Weather Strategy alert for portions of Florida.  The forecast track shows the storm threatening the Florida panhandle and northwestern Florida coastline within the next five days.  The current hurricane modeling seems to predict the intensity staying below Cat 1 Hurricane levels. Subscribers concerned that further development may affect their operations should consider acting now.