Invest 97L has millions from Louisiana to Florida bracing for likely-Tropical Storm or Hurricane Helene
The development chances for Invest 97L have been steadily increasing. As of Monday, the system has a high chance of strengthening into a tropical depression or tropical storm within the next 48 hours.
Hurricane threat ramps up for Gulf Coast as communities prepare for likely Helene
Preparations are underway in communities along the U.S. Gulf Coast from Louisiana to Florida as Invest 97L continues to get better organized in the Caribbean and is expected to strengthen into Tropical Storm or Hurricane Helene in the coming days.
UPDATE: Invest 97L became Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine on Monday, Sept. 23. Continue to follow updates on this system here.
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Millions of people living on the Gulf Coast from Louisiana to Florida are being urged to prepare as Invest 97L continues to become better organized and will likely become Tropical Storm or Hurricane Helene as the system enters the Gulf of Mexico in the coming days.
The term "invest" is simply a naming convention that allows the National Hurricane Center (NHC) to run specialized computer models to help forecasters obtain additional information on tropical disturbances being monitored for development.
WHAT IS AN INVEST DURING HURRICANE SEASON?
The development chances for Invest 97L have been steadily increasing. As of Monday, the system has a high chance of strengthening into a tropical depression or tropical storm within the next 48 hours.
"Regardless of development, this system is expected to produce heavy rains over portions of Central America during the next several days," NHC forecasters wrote in their discussion. "Interests in the northwestern Caribbean, the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, and western Cuba should closely monitor the progress of this system."
According to the NHC, watches and warnings may need to be issued for those areas sometime Monday.
The NHC said Invest 97L is expected to strengthen as it spins northward across the Gulf of Mexico later this week. Impacts such as storm surge, heavy rain and strong winds are expected for portions of the northeastern Gulf Coast, including the Florida Panhandle and portions of Florida's west coast.
"Although it's too soon to specify the exact location and magnitude of these impacts, residents in these areas should monitor the latest forecast updates and ensure they have their hurricane plan in place," NHC forecasters wrote in their discussion.
Officials in Leon County, which is home to Florida state capital Tallahassee, announced that sandbags would be made available to residents starting on Monday afternoon in anticipation of heavy precipitation and potential flooding from the storm.
Where could Invest 97L go in the Gulf of Mexico?
There are several factors at play when determining where whatever develops from Invest 97L will ultimately go and its strength.
"How strong the storm will be and exactly where the most intense effects will occur is an open question," FOX Weather Hurricane Specialist Bryan Norcross wrote. "There is a general consensus in the various computer forecasts on how the steering pattern will evolve, but it's the details that make a difference in whether a storm hits one location or another location hundreds of miles away."
BRYAN NORCROSS: LATE-WEEK IMPACTS ON NORTHERN US GULF COAST BECOMING MORE LIKELY
Norcross said Hurricane Watches could then be issued for portions of the U.S. Gulf Coast, and we could be tracking Tropical Storm Helene by the middle of the week.
On Thursday or Thursday night, the storm, whether it's a tropical storm or Hurricane Helene, could make landfall somewhere between Louisiana and Florida.
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Watch: Exclusive FOX Model Futuretrack shows Invest 97L spinning toward Gulf Coast
The exclusive FOX Model Futuretrack shows the potential future radar for Invest 97L as the system enters the Gulf of Mexico.
"Residents on or near the coast between Louisiana and Florida should stay well informed," Norcross wrote. "This will be a fast-developing situation, so now is the time to think through what you would do in the potentially affected areas if a significant storm comes your way late in the week."
By Friday, the storm will likely begin to weaken as it moves inland across the Southeast. However, it will continue to produce heavy rain and gusty winds along its path.