Tropical Storm Claudette likely to form Friday

Potential Tropical Cyclone Three is likely to strengthen and become Tropical Storm Claudette on Friday.

It would be the third named storm of the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season.

TALKING THE TROPICS WITH MIKE: Low pressure / tropical disturbance to bring a round of heavy rain the Gulf Coast & Southeast

Chief Meteorologist Mike Buresh says it is forecast to make landfall along the Louisiana’s coast overnight, just west of New Orleans.

“While winds won’t be particularly strong (as tropical systems go), there will be a lot of rain + the threat for isolated tornadoes & waterspouts from Louisiana to Mississippi, Alabama & the Western Florida Panhandle. If the system can remain organized long enough - & it appears this is a possibility - heavy rain & isolated tornadoes may continue into the weekend & early next week along & near the track of the low well into Alabama, Georgia & possibly the Carolina’s & even Virginia,” Buresh said.

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“Rainfall forecast maps show a “blob” of heavy rain along the Gulf coast nosing northward & well inland with more than a half a foot of rain possible from near New Orleans east to the Western Florida Panhandle,” he added.

Though there will be no local direct impacts, our area will get a lot of tropical moisture, leaving us with higher rain chances.

Tracking the Tropics: June 18, 2021 Meteorologist Alyssa Pejic has the latest track for Potential Tropical Cyclone 3 in Tracking the Tropics.

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