The National Hurricane Center says while the low pressure system in the Gulf of Mexico still does not have a defined center of circulation, forecasters are issuing a Hurricane Watch for much of the Louisiana coast.
Hurricane Hunters flew into the system this afternoon. The could not find a tropical center of circulation yet.
"Reports from an Air Force Reserve reconnaissance aircraft indicate that maximum sustained winds are near 30 mph with higher gusts," according to the Hurricane Center advisory. "Strengthening is forecast during the next 72 hours, and the disturbance is forecast to become a tropical depression Thursday morning, a tropical storm Thursday night, and a hurricane on Friday."
- A Hurricane Watch is in effect from the mouth of the Mississippi River to Cameron, Louisiana
- A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect from the mouth of the Mississippi River northward to the mouth of the Pearl River
A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area. A watch is typically issued 48 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous.
A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area generally within 48 hours.
The forecast path shows the system moving south of New Orleans before making a turn toward the coast Friday, and heading for a landfall in the central part of the state Saturday.
The Hurricane Center now says there is a 100% chance of tropical depression or tropical storm formation.
Surge-related flooding depends on the relative timing of the surge and the tidal cycle, and can vary greatly over short distances.
RAINFALL: The system is expected to produce total additional rain accumulations of 6 to 12 inches near and inland of the central Gulf Coast through early next week, with isolated maximum rainfall amounts of 18 inches.
Rainfall amounts exceeding 6 to 9 inches have already occurred across portions of the New Orleans metropolitan area today, which has resulted in flooding.
WIND: Hurricane conditions are possible within the Hurricane Watch area by Friday night, with tropical storm conditions possible by early Friday.
