Tropical storm could form in Gulf. Here’s what National Hurricane Center says
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- NHC forecasts a 40% chance of tropical-storm formation in the next 48 hours.
- NHC raises formation odds to 50% over seven days if the system moves into the Gulf.
- Flood watch in effect for South Mississippi and southeast Louisiana through 7 a.m. Friday.
A short-lived tropical storm has a marginal chance of forming Wednesday into Thursday in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico, the National Hurricane Center forecasts.
Development is not expected for the next day or two from a low-pressure trough that is situated inland over northeastern Mexico. The trough is producing “a large area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms,” the NHC says.
If the system re-emerges over the northwestern Gulf, chances increase for tropical-storm development. The NHC puts formation chances at 40% over the next 48 hours and at 50% through the next seven days.
Regardless, residents from eastern Texas, portions of Louisiana and Mississippi should keep an eye on the weather. Periods of intense rainfall can be expected in South Mississippi over the next few days.
Life-threatening flash- and river-flooding, plus gusty winds and coastal flooding, could occur along the northwestern Gulf, where tropical storm watches and warnings might begin Tuesday.
Meanwhile, rain on Monday and Tuesday is from a wet airmass stalled over southeastern Louisiana and South Mississippi. The National Weather Service says 4-7 inches of rain has fallen over South Mississippi, with more expected later Monday along and north of the Interstate 10/12 corridor.
A flood watch is in effect for South Mississippi and southeast Louisiana through 7 a.m. Friday, the NWS says.
Flooding potential prompted Hancock County to open two self-serve sandbag locations Monday, beginning at 2 p.m. Residents should bring their own shovels to fill sandbags at one of these locations:
- Hancock County Emergency Operations Center - 18333 MS Hwy 603.
- Hancock County Farmers Market – 3068 Longfellow Drive, Bay St. Louis.
