Forecasters believe Tropical Depression Cristobal will collide with another storm system to form a larger cyclone.
Cristobal, which made landfall in south Louisiana on Sunday evening, is expected to merge with a storm system emerging from the Rocky Mountains as it moves inland over the next few days.
“The two will eventually merge into a large cyclone,” Greg Carbin, a leading forecaster at the Weather Prediction Center in College Park, Maryland, told NBC News on Tuesday. “It’s a pretty fascinating interaction we’ll see over the next couple of days.”
The National Weather Service in Chicago predicted strong winds ahead of Cristobal’s progress in the Midwest, estimating that wind gusts could reach up to 50 mph in some areas.
“These potential stronger gusts may occur during heavier showers,” the agency said in a Monday tweet.
A period of strong southerly winds are expected Tuesday PM. Gusts of up to 40 to 45 mph are likely at times, especially in the orange shaded areas on the map, with gusts up to 50 mph or higher possible. These potential stronger gusts may occur during heavier showers. #ilwx #inwx pic.twitter.com/EXPUt41p57
— NWS Chicago (@NWSChicago) June 8, 2020
Previously a tropical storm, Cristobal was downgraded to a tropical depression on Monday morning after hitting areas in Louisiana and North Florida with strong winds and rain. However, the merging storm systems could renew Cristobal’s strength.
On Sunday, President Trump said he would be signing an emergency declaration for Louisiana, signaling that the Federal Emergency Management Agency was already on the scene to assist with disaster relief efforts.
“At the request of @SenJohnKennedy & @SenBillCassidy of the Great State of Louisiana, I will be approving & signing today an EMERGENCY DECLARATION which will help with all aspects of the big storm that is currently hitting your shores. FEMA is already there. God Bless You!” he said.
