5:20 p.m. update: Hurricane Watches have just been issued for the Louisiana coastline.
The tropical entity over the northern Gulf may strengthen to a category one hurricane. A state of emergency has been declared by Louisana's governor.
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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Potential Tropical Cyclone Two over the northern Gulf could intensify into a category one hurricane.
Tropical Storm Watches have been issued for parts of the Louisiana coast.
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A turn to the northwest is likely late in the week, bringing the storm onshore into coastal Louisiana or Texas as category 1 Hurricane Barry this weekend.
This storm will be a significant rainmaker with 6 to 12 inches, isolated 18 inches possible in the storm's path through early next week.
We will keep you updated with our Tropical Update and Weather on the Nines.
Rain chances in our area will continue to be high today with deep moisture in place.
What does Potential Tropical Cyclone Mean?
Referring to something as "Potential Tropical Cyclone" is a new product from 2 years ago. It was created so a full tropical advisory can be issued for the purpose of when a system is technically not anything but is expected to become a tropical cyclone and there is close enough proximity to land that watches and/or warnings need to be issued.
A tropical cyclone is a closed area of low pressure in the tropics. A tropical cyclone in this case is a general term that would cover tropical depressions, tropical storms, and hurricanes.