Tropical Storm Francine has formed, and two others may be brewing. Could they impact NC?

Tropical Storm Francine formed in the Gulf of Mexico Monday and is expected to reach hurricane strength by the time it hits the Gulf coast mid-week, the National Hurricane Center says.

Meanwhile, forecasters are watching two other systems in the Atlantic for possible development over the next week.

What’s happening with Tropical Storm Francine?

Monday, the center of the system was off the east coast of Mexico, several hundred miles south of Houston, Texas.

According to the National Hurricane Center tracking map , Francine is expected to move to the northwest through the day Monday before turning toward the northeast on Tuesday.

The current forecast has the storm coming ashore in Louisiana late Wednesday or early Thursday, bringing heavy rainfall and the risk of considerable flash flooding to portions of southern Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi.

If it moves as predicted, the storm would weaken to a tropical depression and travel north through the Mississippi Valley through Saturday morning.

Could Francine affect North Carolina?

Monday’s forecasts have the center of the storm staying out of North Carolina, but the National Weather Service says showers and thunderstorms are possible Thursday through Saturday in the western part of the state .

There is a marginal risk of flash flooding as far east as Statesville, forecasts show.

What other storms are brewing in the Atlantic?

Meteorologists are watching two other systems, both in the tropical Atlantic. They are:

▪ An area of low pressure in the central tropical Atlantic that’s generating rain and thunderstorms. The National Hurricane Center said Monday that conditions are marginally conducive for that system to develop into a tropical depression by mid-week as it moves to the west-northwest over the ocean at around 10 mph.

Forecasters gave the disturbance a 60% chance of forming a tropical depression by Wednesday.

▪ A second low-pressure system located several hundred miles west-southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands in the eastern and central tropical Atlantic.

Forecasters said Monday an approaching tropical wave likely would interact with that system, increasing the likelihood of its gradually developing into a tropical depression.

The National Hurricane Center said Monday that system has a 60% chance of becoming a tropical depression over the next seven days as it moves to the west-northwest over the ocean at 10 to 15 mph.

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