All,

Tropical Disturbance Invest 95L has now developed into a Tropical Depression, the 28th of this Atlantic Hurricane Season. The NHC is forecasting that this Depression will further strengthen into a Tropical Storm, and will thus be the 27th named Tropical Storm of the season, and will be named “Zeta.”

Below are the initial early forecasts for this Tropical Depression. Note that by Tuesday afternoon, the NHC is forecasting that “Zeta” will strengthen to hurricane force, before possibly diminishing in strength on Wednesday as it approaches the Gulf Coast states of Louisiana, Mississippi and Florida. This initial “track” is similar to that of Hurricane Sally, which impacted parts of Alabama and the Florida panhandle. Winds and rainfall could begin affecting the coasts of LA, MS, AL, and FL by Wednesday of this week. If this system makes landfall on Thursday, it would possibly have Tropical Storm-Force sustained winds in the 39 to 73 mph range. More updates to follow over coming days.
- Sid Sperry, OAEC