Tropical Depression Nine forms in the Caribbean Thursday. TD9 will intensify into Tropical Storm Ida later today with further strengthening into a Hurricane forecast by this weekend.

As Ida enters the Gulf of Mexico over the weekend, strengthening into at least a Category 2 Hurricane is expected–A Major Hurricane (Category 3, 4, 5) cannot be completely ruled out early-Sunday. It does appear the system will weaken a touch before landfall.

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Landfall will occur early Monday in Louisiana based on the latest forecast from the National Hurricane Center. A jog east or west is possible so all areas along the northern Gulf Coast need to keep a close eye on the forecast over the coming days. Because of the uncertainty, the upper Texas coast and Mississippi coast are also within the cone.

Tropical Depression Nine forms in the Caribbean, forecast to slam the U.S. as a Hurricane