Tropical Storm Gordon Continues to Strengthen

Tropical Storm Gordon continues to churn northwest across the Gulf of Mexico. It’s set to target the central Gulf Coast later this evening. You can see the current position and forecast for Gordon above in a screenshot from our weather visualization tool, Sferic Maps. Track the rest of the Atlantic Hurricane season with a free trial of Sferic Maps – Just fill out the form below!

Gordon’s Position

As of 7:00 a.m. CDT, Tropical Storm Gordon was at 28.1 N and 86.2 W. This is about 190 miles east-southeast of the mouth of the Mississippi River. Its maximum sustained winds are 65 mph. Currently, Gordon is moving west-northwest at 15 mph. The minimum central pressure is at 1004 mb or 29.65 inches of mercury.

Further strengthening is possible today. By the time Gordon makes a likely landfall between Louisiana and the southern Alabama Coast, it will likely be a weak Category 1 hurricane.

Tropical Storm Gordon Watches and Warnings

Tropical Storm Warnings are in effect for west of the mouth of the Pearl River to east of Morgan City, Louisiana to the Alabama-Florida border and to the Okaloosa-Walton County line. This area includes:

• Metro New Orleans
• Mobile, Alabama
• Lake Pontchartrain
• Lake Maurepas

In addition, Storm Surge Watches and Warnings are in place in a few areas. These areas include Shell Beach to the Mississippi-Alabama border. It also includes west of Shell Beach to the mouth of the Mississippi and east of the Mississippi-Alabama border to Navarre, Florida.

The National Weather Service issued a Hurricane Warning  for the mouth of the Pearl River to the Alabama-Florida border as further strengthening is expected over the next 36 hours.

What to Expect

Tropical Storm Gordon’s arrival along the central Gulf Coast will happen later this evening. We’re expecting Gordon to bring heavy rainfall and/or strong winds to the area.

Depending on its exact track, residents from the Mississippi Delta to the Alabama coast could expect:

• Sustained winds of 40-60 mph
• Gusts of 60-75 mph
• Rainfall totals of 4-7 inches during the middle part of the week

According to our meteorologists, this much rain in a short period of time is likely to cause flooding. This is especially true because Gordon is coming on the heels of another soggy storm that is over the Gulf.

Flash Flood Watches are in place from southeastern Louisiana to Pensacola, Florida and inland to eastern Mississippi and northeastern Louisiana.

Gordon’s Track

It’s imperative to watch the track of Gordon and be prepared for any shift in track or intensity. With a very warm Gulf lying ahead of the storm, the potential exists for more development.

Make hurricane preparations now. This includes knowing multiple evacuation routes from your neighborhood. Ensure you listen to local officials and keep a battery-powered radio on hand.

The early part of September is the climatological peak of the tropical season. Like clockwork, the season is responding. Another tropical storm, Florence, is wandering the eastern Atlantic tonight far away from land mass.

Stick with Earth Networks for the latest Gordon updates and stay safe!