Tropical Storm Karen Forms Hurricane Watches for U.S. Gulf Coast

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Tropical Storm Karen has developed over the Yucatan Channel and the southern Gulf of Mexico and will ultimately pose a threat to the United States.

Hurricane watches are now in effect from Grand Isle La. to Indian Pass Fla. However these watches do not include metropolitan New Orleans.

Tropical storm watches however do include metropolitan New Orleans Lake Ponchartrain and Lake Maurepas as well as the Gulf Coast from west of Grand Isle to Morgan City La.

The disturbance had been festering over the past few days but until Thursday morning Air Force reconnaissance aircraft were unable to find a closed circulation signaling the existence of a full fledged tropical cyclone.

Data from Thursday morning's Air Force mission indicated that such a circulation had formed. Surface winds as high as 63 mph were initially measured in a portion of Karen's circulation indicating that a fairly healthy tropical storm had formed. It is the Atlantic hurricane season's 12th tropical cyclone (including depressions) and 11th named storm.

As Karen moves north toward the central Gulf Coast significant uncertainty remains about how strong it will become and how strong it can remain. Strong wind shear is expected to hold affect northern parts of the Gulf of Mexico and this shear may cause Karen to weaken to some degree as it approaches the U.S. mainland.

Nevertheless people in the watch areas should be prepared for the following potential impacts

Strong winds particularly near the landfall point although the exact location of landfall is still rather uncertain.Heavy rainfall of 4 inches or more and the potential for localized freshwater flooding.Storm surge resulting in coastal (saltwater) flooding near and to the right (east) of the eventual landfall point. Surge could reach 2 to 4 feet above normal tide levels in some areas.

Stay with The Weather Channel and weather.com for continuing coverage of Tropical Storm Karen.

Projected Path Projected Path Projected Path

The latest forecast path and wind speeds from the National Hurricane Center.

Storm Information Storm Information Current Information

So where exactly is the cyclone's center located now If you're plotting the storm along with us click on the Current Information map below to get the latitude/longitude coordinates distance away from the nearest land location maximum sustained winds and central pressure (measured in millibars).

Satellite Satellite Satellite

How does the system look on satellite imagery. Click on infrared satellite imagery to see how cold the cloud tops are. Brighter orange and red shadings concentrated near the center of circulation signify a healthy tropical cyclone.

Watches/Warnings Watches/Warnings Tropical Storm/Hurricane Watches/Warnings

A tropical storm or hurricane watch means tropical storm or hurricane conditions respectively are possible in the specified area within 48 hours. A tropical storm or hurricane warning means tropical storm or hurricane conditions respectively are expected in the specified area within 36 hours.

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