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Tropical system in Gulf of Mexico may be Hurricane by mid-week

Published

October 7, 2018

According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), as of 10:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday, October 7, the tropical disturbance was about 90 miles (145 kilometers) south of Cozumel, Mexico and about 225 miles (365 Kilometers) southwest of the western tip of Cuba.

The depression is moving toward the north near 6 mph (9 kph) with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph (55 kph). The depression’s minimum central pressure is currently 1004 MB or 29.65 inches.

As the depression moves over warmer water and experiences less wind shear, it is expected to strengthen. The tropical depression may achieve hurricane status with wind speeds of 74 mph or higher before it makes landfall on Wednesday. The NHC is advising interests along the northeastern and central U.S. Gulf coast to monitor the progress of the depression so appropriate action can be taken.

NHC

Tropical Depression 14 is expected to become Tropical Storm Micheal by this evening or tonight as it reaches the coast within the warning area, making outside preparations difficult or dangerous.

The current forecast from the National Hurricane Center has the storm making landfall between Panama City Beach and Apalachicola, Florida around noon or early afternoon Wednesday. Over six inches of rain and gusts over 70 mph will be possible for the Florida panhandle.

Florida governor to declare state of emergency
Florida Governor Rick Scott is preparing to declare a state of emergency as he urges Floridians to prepare for a possible hurricane. According to Weather.com, the decision will be made after he is updated on Tropical Depression 14 in the Emergency Operations Center at 5 p.m. Sunday.

Senior Hurricane specialist Stacy Stewart works at the National Hurricane Center to track the first tropical or subtropical depression of the 2018 Atlantic hurricane season on May 24, 2018 in Miami, Florida

JOE RAEDLE, Getty/AFP/File

Landfall is most likely to occur somewhere between the Mississippi/Alabama border and the Florida Panhandle Wednesday into Wednesday night. Depending on how quickly this system moves northward, the center of Michael could approach the Gulf Coast as soon as late Tuesday.

But right now, the National Hurricane Center is forecasting this system to be a Category 1 hurricane when it makes landfall. Digital Journal will keep you posted on this developing storm system.

In this article:Carolinas, Florida, Hurricane Michael, NHC, Tropical depression, Weather

Written By Karen Graham

We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our dear friend Karen Graham, who served as Editor-at-Large at Digital Journal. She was 78 years old. Karen's view of what is happening in our world was colored by her love of history and how the past influences events taking place today. Her belief in humankind's part in the care of the planet and our environment has led her to focus on the need for action in dealing with climate change. It was said by Geoffrey C. Ward, "Journalism is merely history's first draft." Everyone who writes about what is happening today is indeed, writing a small part of our history.