ROANOKE, Va. – 6 p.m. Wednesday update
Hurricane Zeta has made landfall near Cocodrie, Louisiana as a category 2 hurricane. Winds are sustained at 110 mph and gusting stronger at times. Zeta is currently moving north-northeast at 24 mph.
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5 p.m. Wednesday update
A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for many along and south of U.S. 460. This brings the potential for tropical-storm-force winds up to 45 mph.
Along with the wind threat, 2-4 inches of rainfall is expected across the region by Thursday night.
Hurricane Zeta has continued to gain strength this afternoon and it’s now a category 2 hurricane with winds of 110 mph. This means that Zeta is just shy of becoming a major, category 3 hurricane.
Landfall is imminent in Louisiana at this time and expected to happen within the next few hours.
5 a.m. Wednesday update
Zeta has restrengthened overnight as it moves over warm Gulf waters. The storm has a defined eye as of 5 a.m. and is setting its sights on the Louisiana coast. After that, the storm moves into our area as a tropical depression or a remnant low. Regardless, we expect a lot of rain, some gusty wind and a limited severe storm potential.
More on its local impacts here.
5 p.m. Tuesday update
The National Hurricane Center says Zeta is still a 65 mph tropical storm at 5 p.m. It’s projected to make landfall in Louisiana Wednesday evening as a Category 1 hurricane. It will quickly move northeast and pass over our area as a remnant low Thursday. The local impacts we’re forecasting are unchanged, save for a small decrease in the likelihood for strong winds.
11 a.m. Tuesday update
Zeta has weakened since making landfall over the Yucatan Peninsula, but it is forecast to restrengthen over the Gulf of Mexico. Landfall in southeastern Louisiana will happen Wednesday night. It will then impact our area Thursday as a tropical depression.
5 a.m. Tuesday update
Zeta made its first landfall along the Yucatan Peninsula and is now emerging into the Gulf of Mexico as a strong tropical storm. The storm will continue on a path toward Louisiana Wednesday night before moving over our region Thursday.
More on its local impacts can be found here.
3:30 p.m. Monday update
Zeta strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane Monday afternoon, according to the National Hurricane Center. Hurricane and tropical storm warnings have been posted in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico and western Cuba ahead of the storm’s arrival.
The hurricane is expected to be a Category 1 at landfall Wednesday night in Louisiana.
11 a.m. Monday update
Over the past few hours, there have been no major changes in Zeta’s strength of forecast path. Scroll down for more info.
5 a.m. Monday update
The historic 2020 hurricane season continues, with Zeta strengthening over the western Caribbean Monday morning. On the forecast track, Zeta will move into the Gulf of Mexico and make landfall late Wednesday along the Gulf Coast. This will be the 8th storm this season to make landfall there and the 11th overall in the U.S.
This will also be the 7th storm to give us remnant rain, most of which will arrive Thursday.
Click this article for more information on how this storm (and another) will impact our weather later this week.