Scroll down for the latest tropical information. 

THE FORECAST: 

Today and Tonight: A few showers and storms will be possible this afternoon, mostly for areas north and east of Baton Rouge. Otherwise, conditions will be partly cloudy and highs will be near 92. Enjoy this dry time! It won’t last forever! Overnight lows will be near 91. 

Up Next: Moving into the weekend, showers and storms will continue to bubble up in the afternoons and temperatures will stay in the very low 90s. Overnight lows will be in the mid-70s. Deep tropical moisture will move into the Gulf of Mexico on Monday. A few rainy days will be in store next week, but much of the forecast will depend on the tropical systems in the Gulf. Right now, expect (at least) Monday and Tuesday to be rainy as these systems run their course. There are no major threats associated with these systems for our area. Read more about the tropics below. 

TROPICAL UPDATE:

NEW - Tropical Storm Laura Named

Tropical Depression Fourteen is located in the Caribbean Sea. It is forecast to become a tropical storm later today. Then, it will likely make a landfall over the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico over the weekend. While it is expected to enter the Gulf of Mexico after crossing the peninsula, it is uncertain what the strength and placement of the storm will be at that time. This storm will also contribute to building moisture in the Gulf and rainy conditions for us here at home. 

NHC FORECAST:

Tropical Storm Laura:

At 1100 AM AST (1500 UTC), the center of Tropical Storm Laura was located near latitude 17.0 North, longitude 60.2 West.  Laura is moving toward the west near 18 mph (30 km/h) and a generally west-northwestward motion at a faster forward speed is expected over the next couple of days.  On the forecast track, the center of Laura will move near or over the northern Leeward Islands later today, near or over Puerto Rico Saturday morning, and near the northern coast of Hispaniola late Saturday and early Sunday.

Maximum sustained winds are near 45 mph (75 km/h) with higher gusts. Some slow strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours.

Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 150 miles (240 km) from the center. The minimum central pressure estimated from NOAA Hurricane Hunter aircraft observations is 1007 mb (29.74 inches).

Tropical Depression Fourteen: 

At 1100 AM EDT (1500 UTC), the center of Tropical Depression Fourteen was located near latitude 16.6 North, longitude 84.1 West. The depression is moving toward the northwest near 14 mph (22 km/h).  A slower northwestward motion is expected over the next couple of days, followed by an increase in speed by Sunday and Monday.  On the forecast track, the center of the depression will move away from the coast of Honduras today and will approach the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico on Saturday.  The center will then cross the northeastern part of the Yucatan Peninsula Saturday night and move over the central Gulf of Mexico toward the northwestern Gulf on Sunday and Monday.

Maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph (55 km/h) with higher gusts. Strengthening is forecast during the next couple of days, and the depression is expected to become a tropical storm later today.  The system is forecast to be near or at hurricane strength when it reaches the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico late Saturday.  Some weakening is expected as it moves over the Yucatan Peninsula Saturday night.  Afterward, restrengthening is forecast on Sunday as it moves offshore and enters the southern Gulf of Mexico. The estimated minimum central pressure is 1008 mb (29.77 inches).

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