Sally has intensified to a Category 2 storm, with maximum sustained winds of 100 miles per hour. Additional strengthening is expected before the storm eventually makes landfall early Wednesday.
The forecast track for Sally has moved a little further to the east. As a results, the National Hurricane Center has dropped the tropical storm watch west of Morgan City.
"Weak ridging over the southeastern United States is expected to steer Sally generally west-northwestward through early Tuesday," said National Hurricane Center forecaster Daniel Brown. "After that time, steering currents weaken and a slow northward motion is forecast as a weak mid-level trough develops over the central United States. This trough is forecast to slide eastward, allowing Sally to begin a slow north-northeastward or northeastward motion."
The forecast now has Sally turning as it approaches the St. Bernard coast, then heading north-northeast towards Pascagoula, Mississippi. The storm could come ashore between Pascagoula and Gauthier early Wednesday morning.