Cristobal losing power over land, still forecast to threaten Louisiana Sunday

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The National Hurricane Center says that while Tropical Storm Cristobal remains over land in Mexico, it is still expected to move back over the Gulf and eventually head for the Louisiana coast.

"On the forecast track, the center will move over the land mass of eastern Mexico through Thursday.  The center is forecast to move back over the southern Gulf of Mexico by Friday, and over the central Gulf of Mexico on Saturday," according to the  Hurricane Center's advisory.

Forecasters say that while Louisiana is in the middle of the cone of error, there is still significant uncertainty,

Potential risks:

  • Heavy rainfall
  • Storm surge
  • Wind impacts

This could lead to flooding, power outages and other damages.

Impacts are forecast to begin over the weekend along portions of the U.S. Gulf Coast from Texas to the Florida Panhandle.  

"It is too soon to determine the exact location, timing, and magnitude of these impacts," the Hurricane Center noted.

Forecasters say with that uncertainty means everyone in the five states on the northern Gulf coast should be ready.

"These areas should monitor the progress of Cristobal and ensure they have their hurricane plan in place."

We won't have a good idea of what will eventually happen until Friday.