NHC: Elsa Could Reach Hurricane Strength Before Florida Landfall

Daytona Beach, FL - New observations from National Hurricane Center (NHC) meteorologists show Tropical Storm Elsa is likely to become a Category 1 hurricane before it makes landfall on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Earlier reports from the NHC stated that strengthening was likely to be limited by moderate westerly shear as Elsa moved into the Gulf of Mexico. But recent observations from an Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicate that the maximum winds in Elsa are now nearing 70 mph/60 knots, which is up from the 57 mph/50 kt that was reported on Tuesday (July 5). Although the environment is not conducive for significant strengthening before landfall, only a slight increase in intensity would result in Elsa becoming a hurricane tonight or into early Wednesday morning. Because of this, hurricane warnings have been issued for portions of the Gulf Coast. And despite small adjustments to the intensity forecasts, no other changes have been made to the official NHC forecast. Once the system makes landfall in west Florida, Elsa is expected to continue northeast over the state before entering Georgia Wednesday night, which is when the storm is expected to be at tropical storm strength again.