The National Hurricane Center is issuing advisories on Hurricane Delta, located over the west-central Gulf of Mexico.

The center of Hurricane Delta is near 26.2N 93.6W at 09/0600 UTC, or about 215 nm S of Cameron Louisiana, moving NNW at 10 kt. The estimated minimum central pressure is 953 mb. Maximum sustained wind speed is 105 kt with gusts to 130 kt. Numerous strong convection is within 90 nm of the center in the NE semicircle and within 120 nm SW semicircle. Scattered moderate isolated strong convection is elsewhere within 240 nm of the center in the NE semicircle and within 210 nm SW semicircle. The center of Delta will move over the northwestern Gulf of Mexico today, and then move inland along the SW Louisiana coast late this afternoon or this evening. Some slight additional strengthening is possible during the next few hours. Weakening is expected to begin later today as Delta approaches the northern Gulf coast. NOAA buoy 42002 near 26.1N 93.6W recently measured a significant wave height of 35 ft and a pressure of 953 mb inside the eye. Prior to the eye passage, the buoy measured winds of 72 kt with gusts of 86 kt. Hurricane force winds and a dangerous storm surge are expected along portions of the Gulf Coast later today.

A tropical wave located several hundred miles southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands continues to produce disorganized showers and a few thunderstorms. The wave is expected to move generally westward or west-northwestward at about 15 mph. Environmental conditions could be conducive for some gradual development of the system this weekend or early next week while it is located over the tropical Atlantic, well east of the Lesser Antilles. Upper-level winds are forecast to become unfavorable for further development by the middle of next week.
* Formation chance through 48 hours...low...near 0 percent.
* Formation chance through 5 days...low...20 percent.

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