Cristobal intensifies again to tropical storm, moves over warm Gulf of Mexico waters

It is expected to move faster toward the north, impacting Louisiana late this weekend

This browser does not support the video element.

By Irene Sans

ORLANDO, Fla. — Tropical Storm Cristobal is finally on the move, distancing itself from Mexico where it has been almost parked for several days.

Cristobal lost some of its strength earlier this week as it interacted with land over southern Mexico. The torrential rains have brought flash flooding and mudslides to parts of southern Mexico and Central America. Over 10 people died in El Salvador, where over 50 inches of rain was recorded in a 24 hour period this week.

The tropical storm has been caught in the Central American Gyre, which has kept it block in the same area. Also, a strong high-pressure system to the north has kept this system land-locked in Mexico.

READ: CENTRAL FLORIDA’S WEEKEND FORECAST

The high-pressure system broke up in two, this will act as an atmospheric suction, picking up Cristobal northward. There is high certainty that the tropical storm will make landfall in Louisiana late this weekend or very early Monday morning. There could still be some strengthening as Cristobal travels over the very warm Gulf waters.

Read more: Higher than normal tides expected along East Florida Coast through the weekend

This is a very messy system, most of its convection has been pushed east of its center by the subtropical jetstream. It is a wide system so its rain bands and ample moisture will affect Florida through the weekend.

Expect rainfall to reach over 5 inches in some spots of Central Florida through the weekend, especially where rainbands become more persistent.

Read: Forecasters highly confident about an active 2020 Hurricane Season

Nota en español: Temporada de Huracanes 2020: Pronosticadores altamente confiados en una temporada activa

>> CLICK HERE FOR LIVE DOPPLER 9 RADAR <<

DOWNLOAD OUR FREE WFTV WEATHER APP TO RECEIVE ALERTS

This browser does not support the video element.

Entérese del pronóstico del tiempo, en español, por nuestra meteoróloga Irene Sans:


Follow our Severe Weather team on Twitter for live updates:

This browser does not support the video element.