Louisiana is in the cone of error for a landfalling hurricane Sunday into Monday.
The National Hurricane Center says Tropical Depression Nine, located over the west-central Caribbean, is forecast to move into the Gulf and become a hurricane this weekend.
"Environmental conditions remain conducive for additional development," the Hurricane Center advised. "The system is expected to enter into the Gulf of Mexico Friday night."
The forecast calls for impacts further east than previously anticipated.
The Hurricane Center warns of "dangerous impacts from storm surge, wind, and heavy rainfall to portions of the coasts of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and the Florida Panhandle by Sunday and Monday."
The current forecast calls for winds up to 110 miles per hour on Sunday, making it a strong category 2 hurricane. Several models, however, anticipate it getting even more powerful.
An Air Force Reserve reconnaissance Hurricane Hunter aircraft is scheduled to investigate the system this afternoon. That should help better develop the forecast.
"Uncertainty in the system's exact track and intensity remains large since the low is just beginning to form. Interests in these areas should closely monitor the progress of this system and ensure they have their hurricane plans in place."
