Current Location: 27.9N, 86.2W
Geographic Reference: 240 miles SE of Gulfport, MS
Movement: West-northwest at 17 mph
Max Winds: 65 mph gusting to 80 mph
Organizational Trend: Increasing slowly
Forecast Confidence: Average

In terms of Gordon’s intensity trends, the system continues to exhibit mixed signals. On one hand, shower and thunderstorm activity near the center increased overnight. The overnight recon data indicates that Gordon has, at the very least, maintained its intensity. It may have strengthened slightly overnight. However, its structure continues to be relatively poor and wind shear in the central Gulf of Mexico continues to be a little too high for further intensification. It is these inhibiting factors that has resulted in our forecast keeping Gordon just below hurricane intensity. It is worth mentioning that there is not a significant difference in the impacts between a strong tropical storm and a low end category one hurricane. If the shear relaxes and if Gordon’s structure improves, then the chance of it becoming a hurricane will increase.

Since the previous update, there has not been any recent trends that warrant a change in our forecast. We continue to predict that the center of Gordon will move ashore as a strong tropical storm tonight over the Mississippi Coast. Heavy rainfall, winds capable of tree damage and power outages, and coastal flooding continue to be a concern.

Please refer to our previous full advisory for more details regarding the impacts.

The next full advisory will be issued at 9 AM CDT.

Meteorologist: Cameron Self

Lat.	Lon.	Max Sustained Winds	Category
27.90N	86.20W	65 mph	Tropical Storm