Tropical Storm Laura is just below hurricane strength Tuesday as it nears Texas coast

CLOSE

What does Tropical Storm Laura look like from above? Video from NASA and NOAA Hurricane Hunters provides a unique view. Wochit

Tropical Storm Laura is just below hurricane strength as of Tuesday morning.

The storm is forecast to become a major hurricane (category 3, 4, or 5) over the northwestern Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday. 

Laura is expected to approach the Upper Texas and Southwest Louisiana coasts on Wednesday night and move inland near those areas on Thursday, according to the latest National Hurricane Center forecast. 

As of 7 a.m. Tuesday, Laura was recorded as having maximum sustained winds of 70 mph. It is located 625 miles southeast of Lake Charles, Louisiana. Laura is moving west-northwest near 17 mph.

Tropical Storm Marco made landfall along Louisiana’s eastern coastline around 6 p.m. Monday before weakening to a tropical depression. 

More: Tropical Storm Laura, the ‘main attraction,’ looms after Marco makes landfall

Tropical Storm Laura watches and warnings

A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for 

• San Luis Pass, Texas to Ocean Springs, Mississippi
• Lake Pontchartrain, Lake Maurepas, and Lake Borgne

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for

• San Luis Pass, Texas to west of Morgan City, Louisiana

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for

• Dry Tortugas

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for

• San Luis Pass to Freeport, Texas
• Morgan City, Louisiana to the Mouth of the Mississippi River

When will Laura make landfall? Track the storm here.

(Tip: If the map above doesn’t load, click here.)

More tracker maps: Tropical Storm Laura spaghetti models

Read or Share this story: https://www.caller.com/story/news/2020/08/25/tropical-storm-laura-nhc-update-hurricane-forecast-texas-impact/5628839002/