A disturbance that had been monitored by the National Hurricane Center (NHC) for several days developed into Tropical Storm Claudette early Saturday morning, after moving inland into Louisiana. It is somewhat unusual to see tropical cyclones develop inland, but Claudette’s impacts would have not been much different regardless of its status. Claudette has already weakened from its peak intensity, and is likely going to continue to weaken for the next day or so as it moves northeastward. The main threat from Claudette continues to be heavy rainfall.

As of 10:00 a.m. CDT (11:00 a.m. EDT) Saturday, Tropical Storm Claudette was centered near 31.0°N 89.7°W, and was moving north-northeastward at about 14 mph. Maximum sustained winds were 35 knots (40 mph), with an estimated minimum pressure of 1007 mb. This is down from its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 40 knots (45 mph) as the disorganized cyclone moves inland. Claudette’s circulation acquired sufficient definition to be classified as a tropical storm while just inland over southern Louisiana. Claudette should weaken some over the next day or so. However, as Claudette begins to accelerate northeastward, it should begin to restrengthen as it moves back over the western Atlantic, in part due to baroclinic forcing. Claudette could regain tropical storm status during this time, and could quite possibly be stronger than its initial peak. Claudette should then become extratropical in about 3-4 days as it moves over cooler water north of the Gulf Stream. This change in forecast has required a Tropical Storm Watch for the North Carolina Coast from Cape Fear to Duck, North Carolina.