Tropical Storm Francine forms in Gulf of Mexico, forecast to become hurricane

Stream FOX 35 News

HOUSTON - Tropical Storm Francine formed in the Gulf of Mexico on Monday, and millions of people from Texas to Louisiana along parts of the U.S. Gulf Coast are bracing for a potentially life-threatening hurricane strike this week.

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) forecast calls for a Category 2 hurricane to make landfall in Louisiana on Wednesday evening.

Francine, known as Potential Tropical Cyclone Six, comes as we enter the peak of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season. Right on schedule, forecasters are tracking multiple areas of concern for potential development this week.

"While it is too soon to pinpoint the exact location and magnitude of impacts, the potential for life-threatening storm surge and damaging winds are increasing for portions of the Louisiana and upper Texas coastlines beginning Tuesday night," the NHC said.

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What's the latest with Tropical Storm Francine?

As of the latest advisory from the NHC, Tropical Storm Francine is located about 125 miles southeast of the mouth of the Rio Grande or about 420 miles south-southwest of Cameron, Louisiana.

Where are watches and warnings in effect because of Tropical Storm Francine?

A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for:

High Island Texas to the Mouth of the Mississippi River Louisiana
Vermilion Bay

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for:

The Louisiana coast from Sabine Pass eastward to Morgan City

A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for:

Mouth of the Mississippi River Louisiana to the Mississippi/Alabama Border
Lake Maurepas
Lake Pontchartrain

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for:

The Louisiana coast from Morgan City eastward to Grand Isle

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for

Morgan City to Grand Isle
High Island to Sabine Pass
Mouth of the Rio Grande to Port Mansfield
La Pesca Mexico to the Mouth of the Rio Grande

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for

Barra del Tordo to La Pesca Mexico
Port Mansfield to High Island Texas
East of Grand Isle Louisiana to Mouth of the Pearl River, including metropolitan New Orleans
Lake Pontchartrain
Lake Maurepas

Where is Tropical Storm Francine going?

The NHC said Tropical Storm Francine is expected to move just offshore of Mexico's northern Gulf Coast through Tuesday, then approach the Louisiana and upper Texas coastlines on Wednesday.

Tropical Storm Francine is forecast to intensify through Wednesday and will likely become a hurricane before it reaches the U.S.'s northwestern Gulf Coast.

Francine is expected to dump 4-8 inches of rain, with localized amounts up to 12 inches, from the coast of far northeastern Mexico northward along portions of the southern Texas coast and across southern Louisiana and southern Mississippi into Thursday morning. This rainfall would lead to the risk of considerable flash and urban flooding.

The NHC has released its flight plan for the next few days, which includes multiple flights scheduled to sample the environment around Tropical Storm Francine.

The Hurricane Hunters will be flying routinely throughout the next few days to obtain "fixes" on the exact position of the storm's center.

Two disturbances in Atlantic Ocean

The NHC is also monitoring two tropical waves in the Atlantic Ocean – one with a medium (40%) chance of formation in the next seven days and another with a higher (70%) chance of formation.

The area of concern in the Eastern Atlantic Ocean may become a tropical storm or hurricane by next week. For now, the long-term path does not track toward Florida. The next storm name on the 20245 Atlantic Hurricane Season list is Gordon.