Tropical Depression Fred remains weak and disorganized in the latest update from the National Hurricane Center. At 10 a.m., the storm had maximum winds of 35 miles per hour.
The forecast at this time does not expect Fred to have any impact on Louisiana.
"Fred remains in an environment about 20 kt of westerly vertical wind shear," said Senior Hurricane Specialist Jack Beven. "This shear is expected to persist during the next day or so, and this combined with the current disorganization should prevent significant strengthening during this time."
The forecast for Fred predicts some strengthening, back to tropical storm levels after 36 hours, but Beven says the intensity forecast has trended weaker, "with none of the guidance currently calling for Fred to reach hurricane strength."
The storm is moving west-northwest along the northern coast of Cuba. Forecasters predict a turn more to the north as it passes over the Florida Keys and into the Gulf of Mexico.
Tropical storm warnings for the Florida gulf coast will likely be issued this afternoon.