Tropical disturbance enters the Gulf and will strengthen. Here’s the MS Coast forecast.
Saturday update: State of emergency issued in Florida as storm system enters Gulf, expected to intensify
A tropical disturbance in the northwest Caribbean Sea is entering the Gulf of Mexico and becoming better organized, and weather forecasters say there’s an increased chance it could become a tropical depression early next week.
Invest 93L is expected to move toward Florida, but it’s track is still uncertain, the National Weather Service in Miami said Friday afternoon.
The National Hurricane Center in Miami said the disturbance has a 40% chance of tropical formation over the next two days, and an 80% chance over the next seven days.
Residents in Florida, Alabama and on the Mississippi Coast should keep an eye on the disturbance over the next several days.
Many systems in the Atlantic, including Franklin
The disturbance is one of many the NHC is tracking in the Atlantic basin right now.
Tropical Storm Franklin is the only named storm on the 7-day map, and that system is expected to move north, well of the East Coast, and bring hazardous swimming and boating conditions leading up to Labor Day Weekend next week.
The remnants of Emily and other disturbances in the Atlantic aren’t expected to impact South Mississippi or the East Coast.
As South Mississippi recalls the 18th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina on Tuesday and two years since Hurricane Ida hit the Mississippi Coast, another tropical wave is forecast to move off the west coast of Africa early next week. Chance of formation through seven days is at 20%.
Chance of rain in the Gulfport-Biloxi metro
The heat dome over the central part of the country, from the Gulf Coast to Canada, will remain in place this weekend.
The National Weather Service in New Orleans forecasts highs around 98 degrees Saturday and Sunday in Gulfport and along the Mississippi Coast, and topping 100 degrees inland.
However, there could be temporary relief next week — and some needed rain.
There is a chance of thunderstorms Sunday night into Monday and a chance of showers and slightly lower temperatures next week.
