Two Tropical Systems Will Impact the Gulf of Mexico This Week

Observers with the National Hurricane Center are once again watching multiple tropical trouble spots in the Atlantic Basin. Residents of coastal Louisiana from Venice to Morgan City to Holly Beach and Cameron are collectively holding their breath in hopes that none of the three systems create chaos along the northern Gulf Coast over the next several days.

Here's what we know about the current state of the tropics. There is an area of disturbed weather just off the upper Texas coast that is influencing Louisiana's weather over this Labor Day Holiday. There is a second area of disturbed weather that has been slowly moving across the Atlantic Ocean and is on the eastern edge of the Caribbean Sea this morning. That system could be the most problematic for Louisiana and the northern Gulf Coast.

The Hurricane Center is also watching the third tropical wave. This one is located just off the west coast of Africa. There will be plenty of time to watch and wait to see what this storm system will do. Most of the model guidance suggests this will be an "ocean storm" and not affect any major landmasses but only time will tell.

The disturbed weather along the upper Texas Coast will continue to bring elevated rain chances to South Louisiana for the balance of the work week. Although today's rain chances are listed at 30% for Labor Day Monday, the chance of rain will jump back up for Tuesday and especially Wednesday and Thursday.

The basic consensus among forecasters is that this area of disturbed weather will simply be a rainmaker. The second tropical wave could be a different story. That system has been forecast to strengthen for more than a week now. And now that it is in the warm waters of the Caribbean it does appear as though some strengthening is possible.

Model guidance on this storm system is iffy at best. For the most part, forecasters are in agreement the system will slide westward across the Caribbean Sea. There is some debate as to whether the system will stay south and impact the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. Or whether it will take a more northerly jog and enter the Gulf of Mexico.

The latest guidance from the NHC suggests the system will stay south for at least the next seven days. This hurricane season, we've already seen one system slide up the Texas coast and wreak havoc on Houston and the surrounding area. Let's hope this won't be the second storm to do that.

We will continue to monitor the National Hurricane Center's forecasts and will keep you updated on any changes in these systems that might affect you and where you live. So do check back with us often.