Francine remains a tropical storm this morning with 65 mph winds. A slow motion to the north this morning will be followed by faster motion to the northeast this afternoon and tonight. This motion will bring the center of Francine to the coast near Vermilion Bay by around mid-afternoon Wednesday.
There remains a good chance that Francine will become a hurricane...most likely CAT1 before it reaches the coast. Some dry air, in the middle levels, continues to hamper development but still some slow strengthening can be expected.
Locally, a few showers possible by this afternoon with widespread mostly light to moderate rain Wednesday....rainfall totals 1-2 inches. Gusty northeast through northwest winds Wednesday with 30-40 mph gusts....the stronger winds near the coast.
Francine will not stall and move quickly to the northeast Thursday into Mississippi.