Marco has strengthened into a hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico on Sunday, while Tropical Storm Laura brings heavy rain to Hispaniola and eventually Cuba.
Both storms will affect the United States early next week and this could be the first time in a long time that we see two systems in the Gulf at the same time.
Marco Comes First
On Friday night, Tropical Storm Marco formed in the western Caribbean and moved into the Gulf of Mexico over the weekend.
An Air Force reconnaissance aircraft investigating Marco on Sunday morning found the storm has strengthened into a hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph.
The forecast track has shifted more to east compared to earlier expectations and the most likely landfall location at this time is Louisiana. That may still change.
Forecast track of Marco over the next five days.
A hurricane warning is in effect from Morgan City, Louisiana to the mouth of the Pearl River. Storm surge warnings extend into coastal Mississippi. Meanwhile, a tropical storm warning is in effect from the mouth of the Pearl River to the Mississippi/Alabama border, including the city of New Orleans.
Tropical storm watches stretch from the the Mississippi/Alabama border to the Alabama/Florida border.
Marco is continuing to track to the northwest Sunday morning after strengthening Saturday. It’s forecast to get a little stronger Sunday, reaching hurricane status. Impacts to Louisiana begin Monday. Marco is set to quickly weaken as it turns to the west over land.
Laura Follows Behind
Tropical Storm Laura formed in the central Atlantic on Friday and continues to move on a west track as a ridge in the western Atlantic steers it. It’s moving briskly to the west, but will slow down as it turns northwest.
It’s moving across Hispaniola today. That island is dealing with torrential rain, bringing a threat of flash flooding and mudslides. Heavy rain will soon move across Cuba.
Tropical storm warnings and watches are in place for Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Cuba, the Bahamian islands, and the Florida Keys.
Forecast track for Laura.
This storm appears to pose a direct threat to the U.S. early next week, though the track and the storm’s strength are both uncertain.
Its intensity won’t change much for now as it moves over land. As it moves into the Gulf of Mexico Tuesday, it should enter more favorable conditions and we can expect to see strengthening.
Laura could also see some interaction with Marco which may also impact the track and intensity.
Spaghetti model map for Laura.
Spaghetti model data show some disagreement as Laura moves into the Gulf. We’ll have to keep a close eye on the storm and where it tracks.
Setting Records
Laura became the earliest “L” named storm to ever form in the Atlantic and an M-named storm had never formed in the month of August in the Atlantic before Marco.
These storms follow what has already been a record-setting season in the Atlantic.
With 13 storms already this year, this is the fastest start to a hurricane season in recorded history. The climatological peak of hurricane season is in mid-September.
If Marco and Laura make landfall as expected, the tally of landfalls so far this year would be seven.
