Tropical Storm Karen Forms

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Tropical Storm Karen Forms in Gulf

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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.

INTERACTIVE: Tracking Karen

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

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

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

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

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.