Map: Track tropical storm Francine’s path, forecast, and hurricane status
View the map of Tropical Storm Francine’s path and forecast. The storm is expected to become a hurricane by midweek as it nears the U.S. Gulf Coast.
Francine made landfall in Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana, at 6 p.m. ET as a Category 2 hurricane.
The storm started as a disturbance in the Gulf of Mexico and strengthened into a hurricane Tuesday evening. After making landfall Wednesday, it lost some of its strength and weakened to a Category 1 hurricane.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration had predicted above-normal hurricane activity in the Atlantic basin this year, forecasting 17 to 25 total named storms — which is defined as having winds of 39 mph or higher — with eight to 13 forecast to become hurricanes. The above-normal activity was forecast because of near-record warm ocean temperatures in the Atlantic, La Niña conditions in the Pacific, reduced Atlantic trade winds and less wind shear.
Tropical Storm Francine in the Gulf of Mexico on Monday.NOAAMirna AlsharifBreaking news reporter
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