- Marco is expected to hit the Louisiana Gulf Coast on Monday.
- Marco will be a strong tropical storm like a hurricane when it hits Louisiana.
- Hurricane and storm surge warnings have been issued for part of the northern Gulf Coast.
- Storm surge, localized flooding and strong winds are the expected impact of Marco.
Tropical Storm Marco is expected to become a hurricane before hitting the northern Gulf Coast on Monday, where it will bring storm surge, heavy rain and strong winds to parts of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.
A hurricane warning is now in effect for part of the Louisiana coast, from Morgan City to the Mouth of the Pearl River. Hurricane conditions are possible Monday afternoon in this area.
A storm surge warning has also been issued from Morgan City, Louisiana, to Ocean Springs, Mississippi. This means that there is a danger of life-threatening nuisance by moving rising water in the shoreline.
Tropical storm warnings along with hurricane and tropical storm surges have been issued for other parts of the northern Gulf Coast. New Orleans is currently under a tropical storm warning and hurricane watch.
Watches and warnings
(A watch is issued if tropical storm or hurricane conditions are possible within 48 hours. A warning is issued if these conditions are expected within 36 hours.)
No bard
Downtown Marco is less than 400 miles south of Louisiana. It is located well west of Tropical Storm Laura, which is a separate system tracking through the Greater Antilles.
Marco is a small tropical storm with most of its thunder activity on the eastern and northeastern side of this system.
Marco’s current wind farm
Marco’s tropical humidity is already causing showers and thunderstorms in parts of the Gulf Coast. Rainy season will increase through Monday in this area.
Caution
Path and intensity
Marco will approach the Louisiana and Mississippi coasts Monday. It is not yet certain if the system plows directly inland or will drift westward or along the Louisiana coast to the west.
Current information
(The red-shaded area indicates the potential path of the center of the tropical cyclone. It is important to note that impact (especially heavy rain, high surf, coastal flood, wind) with each tropical cyclone usually spreads above its prognostic path. )
The main driver of the intensity forecast will be a battle between the beneficial effects of warm water temperature and adverse winds at upper levels.
Currently, the National Hurricane Center predicts that Marco will become a Category 1 hurricane as it makes its closest approach to Louisiana and Mississippi on Monday. Marco would then soon have to weaken by Tuesday due to land interaction and the previously mentioned hostile winds in the upper atmosphere.
Storm Surge
Marco is expected to bring a stream of water from the Gulf of Mexico to parts of the Louisiana coastline east to the coast of Alabama, which could be life-threatening.
The highest storm surge usually occurs near and east of the path of a tropical storm or hurricane.
Currently, Marco’s highest elevation is forecast from southeast Louisiana to part of the Mississippi coast. Water levels in these areas could reach 4 to 6 feet above normal when the peak stop arrives at the moment of high tide. The high tide of Monday in these areas will be early in the morning.
Reinfal
Since Marco is small, it will not produce a wide area of heavy rainfall, however, local localization of floods is still expected.
The area with the greatest chance of Monday seeing some flashes is from southeastern Louisiana to coastal parts of Mississippi and Alabama.
Rain totals are suggested to be 2 to 4 inches, but locally up to 6 inches some areas may be awake.
Wine
Winds with tropical storms will arrive Monday on the northern Gulf Coast. Hurricane conditions could occur in a smaller area near where Marco makes landfall Monday.
Marco’s strongest winds will not be widespread, but there may be some tree damage and power outages, especially in areas where a hurricane warning or a tropical storm warning is in effect.
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