Miami, Florida—(ENWESPF)—September 2, 2011. The National Hurricane Center reports that currently the center of the Gulf Coast Tropical Depression is nearly stationary south of the Louisiana Coast.
As of 7AM CDT (1200 UTC) the Tropical Depression Thirteen is located 27.0 N, 91.6 W, approximately 250 miles (340 km) SW of the mouth of the Mississippi River and approximately 250 miles (405 km) SE of Port Arthur, Texas. Maximum sustained winds are 35 mph (55 km/h). Present movement North or 360 degrees at 1 mph (2km/h). Minimum central pressure is 1005 mb (29.68 inches).
Summary of Watches and Warnings in Effect
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for:
- Pascagoula, Mississippi westward to Sabine Pass, Texas, including the city of New Orleans, Lake Pontchartrain, and Lake Maurepas.
A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area, in this case within the next 24 hours.
For storm information specific to your area in the United States, including possible inland watches and warnings, please monitor products issued by your Local National Weather Service Forecast Office.
For storm information specific to your area outside the United States, please monitor products issued by your National Meteorological Service.
Discussion and 48-Hour Outlook
At 7 AM CDT (1200 UTC), the center of Tropical Depression Thirteen was located near latitude 27.0 north, longitude 91.6 west. The Depression is drifting very slowly toward the north near 1 mph, (2 km/h). S continued slow and possibly erratic motion toward the northwest or north is expected today and Saturday. On the forecast track, the center of the cyclone is expected to approach the coast of southern Louisiana during the weekend.
Maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph (55 km/h) with higher gusts. Gradual strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours and the depression could become a Tropical Storm later today. Winds of tropical-storm force are being reported on oil rigs north and east of the center at elevations of a few hundred feet.
Estimated minimum central pressure is 1005 mb (29.68 inches).
Hazards Affecting Land
The depression is expected to produce total rain accumulations of 10 to 15 inches over southern Louisiana, southern Mississippi, and southern Alabama through Sunday with possible isolated maximum amounts of 20 inches.
A storm surge will raise water levels by as much as 2 to 4 feet above ground level along the northern Gulf Coast in areas of onshore flow.
Source: nhc.noaa.gov
