Louisiana (9/8/2024) — Louisiana State Climatologist Jay Grymes issued a weather update regarding the tropical disturbance, Invest 91L, currently in the southwest Gulf of Mexico.
While the system remains disorganized, conditions will likely become favorable for development over the next 2-3 days, potentially impacting Louisiana.
According to Grymes, Invest 91L may soon develop into Tropical Depression #6 (TD#6) and could strengthen into Tropical Storm Francine. Model guidance suggests a slow movement to the north or northwest, keeping the system over the western Gulf waters. A landfall in Mexico or Texas is becoming increasingly unlikely.
The tropical disturbance could reach Louisiana as early as Thursday or Friday, depending on how quickly it gains forward speed. Grymes emphasized that while the system is expected to make landfall as a tropical storm, planning for a potential Category 1 hurricane would be wise due to recent trends in storm intensification.
Grymes advises residents to monitor the forecast closely as conditions could change rapidly, and Louisiana could find itself in the direct path of the storm by the end of the week.
