As the first week of fall begins, brace for the convergence of sweltering heat and the looming threat of a tropical storm or hurricane moving north from the Gulf of Mexico. Check the video forecast for the latest.
Gulf watch
The National Hurricane Center is closely monitoring a growing area of tropical thunderstorm activity in the Caribbean, with a high likelihood of becoming the season’s next named tropical cyclone by the week’s end.
Where will it go? Though precise tracking remains uncertain, coastal areas from Mobile to Tampa should brace for a potentially rapid intensification as the system is projected to surge northward toward the Gulf Coast.
The most likely scenario is a landfall in the Florida Panhandle.
How strong will it get? The atmosphere will be primed, and the extremely warm Gulf waters will be ready to fuel a strengthening storm from Wednesday to Thursday. The next name on the list is Helene…