TROPICAL DEVELOPMENT EXPECTED BY FRIDAY

The disturbance in the southern Gulf of Mexico has been given a 90% chance of development into a tropical cyclone by the National Hurricane Center, but it is expected to be dominated by heavy rains and some windy conditions, the National Weather Service’s Lake Charles office reported in the last 24 hours.
During a weather briefing Tuesday afternoon, meteorologist Donald Jones said the system in the Bay of Campeche wasn’t supposed to become better developed until around Thursday or Friday, noting beforehand, it may move into Mexico before moving back into the Gulf of Mexico.
Then, it will make its move upward around Thursday or Friday and become better organized.
According to the National Weather Service’s 7 a.m. Wednesday update, the National Hurricane Center said there is a 90% chance it will become a tropical cyclone.
Even as it becomes more organized, Jones described the storm as one that will bring rain and will be “messy.”
The most intense thunderstorms will be to the east of the storm’s center, possibly hundreds of miles away, he said. Tides are expected to be above average by 1 to 2 feet, while rain is expected to total 1 to 5 inches. These conditions are expected to begin Friday and continue this weekend, the National Weather Service reported in its Wednesday morning update.
Jones said landfall could be around the Louisiana/Texas line, according to the National Weather Service’s computer models.
Saturday and Sunday, rainfall is expected in south Louisiana, and things will clear up by Monday.
If the storm gains strength and becomes a named system, it will be called Claudette.