How strong will Laura become? ‘Rapid strengthening’ possible after Cuba, NHC says
Tropical Storm Laura’s landfall location is still uncertain as the storm heads toward the Gulf of Mexico, where it is expected to intensify into a hurricane.
Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center are urging Gulf Coast residents not to focus too much on the track because it could shift by 100 miles or so before landfall late Wednesday or early Thursday.
“A period of rapid strengthening is possible once Laura re-organizes an inner core after its passage over western Cuba,” the NHC’s latest update said. “The regional models remain quite bullish on intensification, .....and the models indicate significant deepening while Laura moves over the Gulf.”
Residents should continue to heed warnings and have their hurricane or evacuation plans in place as forecasters continue to monitor Laura’s movement.
Tropical conditions from Laura are expected today through much of Cuba, with additional impacts in Jamaica and the Florida Keys as track its movement.
The NHC 10 a.m. update says Laura is expected to make landfall as a Category 1 or 2 hurricane, and Mississippi officials are keeping a close eye on the storm. A major hurricane is Cat 3 or higher, according to the weather service.
“We’re going to be prepared if that storm does make a jog to the northeast,” Mississippi Emergency Management Agency Director Greg Michel said Monday.
This story was originally published August 24, 2020 at 11:56 AM.
