7PM EDT Update 4 September 2018
Gordon is now a high-end Tropical Storm with maximum sustained winds in a few spots of about 70MPH. Recon is heading back in to see if any additional changes in intensity have occurred.

The cyclone may tighten up right before and/or into and/or just after landfall. This is to say, Gordon may become a more fully hurricane type of tropical cyclone at any time over the next six hours or so. A T.C. ramping up a full category into landfall is hardly unprecedented, and those in the Hurricane Warning should take it seriously, preparing for the worst, hoping for the best. Preparations should now be rushed to completion in the Hurricane Warning area.

As it is, clean doppler velocity scans at around 10,000' this this afternoon have been upwards of 90 MPH, and it is possible that Gordon will begin efficiently transferring these rates to the surface, at least in gusts. Wind gusts this high can cause significant damage to roofs, topple trees, snap power lines, roll trailers, etc.

During and after landfall, dangerous storm surge of up to three or four feet is expected. Surge this high can easily lift very heavy automobiles and send them uncontrollably up-current.

After landfall, Gordon's forward movement is forecast to slow down markedly, and both flash flooding and still some wind damage is likely well inland. Be prepared for power outages that may take some time to come back online. At least three days non-perishable food and many gallons of drinkable water per person always a good idea.

At least a couple of tornadoes are likely. Tropical cyclone tornadoes often strike with little or no warning. These tend to be EF 0s and 1s. But not always.

NHC:

-Ciel

7AM EDT Update 4 September 2018
Tropical Storm Gordon has held steady overnight and is making its run toward the Mississippi Gulf coast, most of the wind and convection associated with Gordon is on the east (sometimes well to the east) of the center of circulation, which has been exposed at times overnight.

Recorn recently found pressures of around 1001mb, so it still continues to gradually strengthen and probably has enough time to become a category 1 hurricane before landfall, thus hurricane warnings are up for the area. Impacts will likely be similar to Nate from last year. Small storms like Gordon, are susceptible to rapid intensity changes (both up and down), the upper level low weakening the southwest quadrant is moving away from Gordon this morning, so it is still worth watching. Those in the warning areas should prepare for a category 2 hurricane, and hope for less, but listen to local media and officials for your immediate area.

11AM EDT Update 3 September 2018

Hurricane Watches are now up along the northern Gulf coast for Gordon, from the Mouth of the Pearl River to the Alabama-Florida Border.

Gordon has continued to organize this morning ahead of schedule, but remains a Tropical Storm at the moment, with some strong wind reports from the Keys this morning. Recon is entering the system now to check it out.

Original Update
Tropical Storm Warnings are up for the Florida Keys and portions of S. Florida also in the North Gulf from AL/FL to Morgan City, LA as Tropical Storm Gordon forms near the Florida Keys this morning.

A 45MPH Tropcial Storm was what it was forecast to be in 36 hours from now at the 5AM Advisory. It's ahead of schedule.

The NHC upgraded based on some surface observations and radar, they will probably hold off any big forecast changes until the recon aircraft gets out to investigate it later today.

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