Current Location: 29.7N, 87.8W
Geographic Reference: 45 miles SE of Dauphin Island, AL
Movement: Northwest at 15 mph
Max Winds: 65 mph gusting to 75 mph
Organizational Trend: Increasing
Forecast Confidence: Average

Gordon is closing in on the northern Gulf coast. It will likely move over the coast in a few hours near the Mississippi/Alabama Border. The heaviest rainbands will be spreading over the coast during the next few hours as shown with the attached radar image. The worst of the weather will be moving into the western Florida Panhandle within the next couple of hours and then spreading into Alabama and eastern Mississippi tonight.

Recent wind data from a buoy indicate that the winds have increased to the 60 mph to 65 mph range. Minor fluctuations in intensity are expected prior to landfall. However, we still expect that Gordon will make landfall as a tropical storm. Gordon is not a large tropical storm. Any winds of tropical storm force will likely be confined to within 70 miles of the center. Any gusts to hurricane force would be confined to areas along the immediate coast.

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

Meteorologist: Derek Ortt

Lat. Lon. Max Sustained Winds Category
29.70N 87.80W 65 mph Tropical Storm