Tropical storm could hit US Gulf Coast by weekend (with forecast video)

Disruptions in transportation (road, air, rail and shipping) will likely be severe in the impacted areas. Disruptions in the hardest hit flooded areas could be long-term – weeks if not months – as infrastructure becomes compromised.

Major cities in the impact zone include Guatemala City and San Salvador; ports include Puerto Quetzal, Acajutla and Veracruz.

Eventually, steering winds in the upper atmosphere will probably push this system into the Bay of Campeche in the southern Gulf of Mexico. The National Hurricane Center (NHC), as of this morning, puts the odds at 80%. Numerous computer models indicate that this system will develop into a tropical storm.

This would be the third named storm of the 2020 Atlantic season and be named Cristobal. Even though the storm started in the eastern Pacific, it is assigned an Atlantic name after moving into the Atlantic basin (Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea, Atlantic Ocean). The first two tropical storms this year, Arthur and Berta, formed last month before the official start of the season. Based on official records since 1851, the third named storm of the Atlantic season has never formed before June 5. This system could become the first to do so.

In a situation like this, it’s too early to confidently forecast details such as intensity and track, as well as when and where landfall may be. At this point, it looks like there’s potential for flooding and minor wind damage, at minimum, in parts of the northern Gulf Coast, from Texas to Florida. With each passing day this week, details should become clearer. Look for updates on the FreightWaves website and social media accounts.

Have a great day! Please stay healthy and be careful out there!