Tropical Storm Delta Forms As Gulf Coast On Watch For Possible Late Week Landfall 

Here we go again. Another tropical cyclone threat could make landfall in the northern U.S. Gulf Coast later this week. Readers may recall, the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season has been unusually busy (read: here). The season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30, and as we discussed weeks ago, the remaining two months of the season could remain active. 

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) released a statement Monday morning outlining how Tropical Storm Delta could strengthen into a hurricane with potential landfall impacts in the northern Gulf Coast later this week. 

“Tropical Storm Delta Advisory 3A: Tropical Depression Strengthens Into a Tropical Storm. Additional Strengthening Likely Over the Next Few Days,” the National Hurricane Center (NHC) said in a tweet. 

Tropical Storm #Delta has formed over the northwestern Caribbean Sea. Additional strengthening is likely and the system is expected to be at or near hurricane strength when it pass near or over western Cuba late Tuesday or early Wednesday. Latest at https://t.co/tW4KeGdBFb pic.twitter.com/qBJJdAh6Ze

— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) October 5, 2020

Dela is centered near Jamaica early Monday morning, moving west-northwest at ten mph, could become a Category 1 on Wednesday as it moves near western Cuba. Weather models then show the system hooking right on Thursday and strengthening to a Category 2, for potential landfall on Friday. As for pinpointing the exact location of landfall remains uncertain, but the greatest possible impact areas are somewhere between Louisiana into the Florida Panhandle. 

“Delta could interact with Tropical Storm Gamma for a period of time later Tuesday through Wednesday as it tracks into the Gulf of Mexico. That interaction might have some effect on the future track and intensity of Delta; however, details are uncertain,” The Weather Channel said. 

It’s too early to determine Delta’s exact landfall location and impacts it will have, but readers should follow the storm’s developments as the week progresses.