Laura underwent rapid intensification overnight and is now a category 3 hurricane.
As of the 7 AM CDT advisory, maximum sustained winds were 115 mph. The pressure was down to 963 mb. Movement was northwest at 15 mph.
Forecast for Laura
Low to moderate wind shear and warm sea surface temperatures will allow Laura to continue to intensify – possibly up until landfall. However, an increase in wind shear near landfall could halt strengthening and/or induce slight weakening.
It is likely Laura will become a category 4 hurricane. Model guidance, including the ECMWF, GFS and UKMET, is in agreement on a landfall near the TX/LA border tonight/early tomorrow.
Laura will bring significant to potentially catastrophic impacts to southeast Texas and southwest Louisiana, including a life-threatening storm surge.
Hurricane-force winds and heavy rain/flash flooding can also be expected.
Tropical storm force winds will likely arrive on the coast this evening, and preparations should be rushed to completion. If ordered to evacuate, now is the time to do so.
