The National Hurricane Center says that even with the center over land, Cristobal has gained some strength to become a tropical storm again.
"Satellite-derived wind data and surface observations indicate that Cristobal's maximum sustained winds have increased to near 40 mph with higher gusts," the Hurricane Center said in a public advisory. "Some additional strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours." Cristobal remains on a forecast track to head to Louisiana Sunday night.
"The storm is moving toward the north near 12 mph, and this general motion is expected to continue for the next couple of days. On the forecast track, the center will move back over the southern Gulf of Mexico this evening, over the central Gulf of Mexico on Saturday, and be near the northern Gulf of Mexico coast Sunday evening."
Forecasters say it could bring soaking rains to Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida with "accumulations of 4 to 8 inches, with local amounts to 12 inches."
The Hurricane Center says a Tropical Storm Watch is up from the middle of the Louisiana Coast all the way the Alabama / Florida line.
"Tropical storm conditions are possible within the Tropical Storm Watch area along the northern Gulf coast beginning early Sunday."
