Marco attained hurricane status this morning. As of the 7 PM CDT advisory Marco was a category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds were still 75 mph.
Forecast for Marco
There have been no significant changes with the forecast for Marco. Landfall is expected to occur tomorrow afternoon in southeast Louisiana.
It is still possible that wind shear could cause Marco to weaken back to a tropical storm on approach to the north-central Gulf Coast. In fact, a reconnaissance aircraft currently is suggestive of this, finding that the pressure has risen to around 1001 mb.
Regardless, Marco could bring hurricane force winds to southeast Louisiana tomorrow, and tropical storm force winds as far east as southwest Alabama. A storm surge of 1 – 6′ is also likely.
In addition, Marco will likely produce heavy rain across southern Louisiana, Mississippi, southwest Alabama, and possibly the western Florida Panhandle.
A water spout/tornado threat will also exist as outer bands/squalls rotate onshore.
A Hurricane Warning, Hurricane Watch, Tropical Storm Warning, Tropical Storm Watch, and Storm Surge Warning are in effect along for parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.
Laura
Laura was able to strengthen some today despite significant interaction with Hispaniola and eastern Cuba. Maximum sustained were 60 mph as of the 8 PM EDT advisory.
There is a bit more clarity with regard to what will happen with Laura in the Gulf. Model guidance, including the ECMWF, GFS, and UKMET, is now in agreement on Laura becoming a strong hurricane in the Gulf.
Furthermore, operational and ensemble guidance has narrowed down a potential landfall to Texas or Louisiana. However, there is still some uncertainty.
Currently the National Hurricane Center is forecasting Laura to make landfall near the Texas/Louisiana border Wednesday as a category 2 hurricane.
