Marco weakens to tropical storm; Laura's track shifts east as storm picks up steam

HOUSTON — Marco weakened to a tropical storm as it edged closer to the Louisiana coast. It had been a Category 1 storm, but the 10pm Sunday National Hurricane Center update downgraded it. It’s still expected to take a turn to the west and the Houston area remains in the cone.  

Meanwhile, the track of Laura moved back slightly to the east.  The center of the forecast cone is now in western Louisiana. The Houston area is no longer in the forecast cone, but the storm has been very unpredictable, so it can easy shift back. It is still expected to pick up steam as it moves across the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico.   

RELATED: What is storm surge and why is it so dangerous?

Below are updates on both of the storms.

The National Hurricane Center’s track for Laura has it making landfall in western Louisiana as a Category 2 hurricne Wednesday evening. The track had been centered on the Texas-Louisiana border, but the 10pm forecast cone shifted back to the east.  

There is an increasing risk of storm surge, rainfall, and wind impacts along portions of the U.S. Gulf coast by the middle of the week.  

Right now, Laura is 125 mile southeast of Camaguey, Cuba.  Winds have increased to 65 miles per hour. It’s moving to the west-northwest at 21 miles per hour.

There are tropical storm warnings for Cuba and tropical storm watches for the Florida Keys.

Tropical storm conditions are expected Cuba through Monday.People in Cuba and Jamaica should see heavy rain, which could cause mudslides and flash flooding.

There’s still a lot of uncertainty in the track and intensity

Intensity is the least predictable factor of tropical weather and Laura could be significantly stronger, even possibly a major hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico by early this week.

Marco weakened to a tropical storm Sunday night as it faced wind shear and dry air in the central-northern Gulf of Mexico. Winds decreased to 70 mph, and it is forecast to stay a tropical storm as it skirts the Louisiana coastline on Monday. 

It is still expected to bring storm surge and tropical storm force winds to Louisiana on Monday.

Marco has maximum sustained winds of 70 miles per hour and is moving to the north-northwest at 11 miles per hour.  It’s 185 miles south-southeast of the mouth of the Mississippi River.

The latest track has it curving to the west, where the center of the cone rides the Gulf coast all the way to the Houston by Wednesday.

Weather conditions are expected to begin deteriorating along the central Gulf coast early Monday morning.

Here’s a timeline from our sister station, WWL, in New Orleans, of what people in Louisiana can expect as Marco moves in.

2 AM Monday – Tropical storm force winds start to arrive along the coast. A few passing showers. Storm surge begins to rise along the coast.

8 AM Monday – Tropical storm force winds begin to spread inland for New Orleans and the Northshore. Passing showers and downpours. Storm surge rises along the coast.

12 PM Monday – Tropical storm force winds spread inland for New Orleans and the Northshore. Some hurricane force gusts near the coast. Passing showers and downpours. Storm surge rises along the coast. 

4 PM Monday – Center of Marco approaches and skirts the south Louisiana coast as it turns west or possibly makes landfall along the southeast Louisiana coast as it skirts westward. Tropical storm force winds. Passing showers and downpours. Rain could be heavy at times. Storm surge rises along the coast.

8 PM Monday – Marco’s center continues moving to the west or northwest, likely staying southwest of New Orleans. Breezy winds. Passing showers and downpours. Rain could be heavy at times. Storm surge stays steady or begins to fall slightly.

2 AM Tuesday – Marco’s center is farther west possibly over western Louisiana. Winds weaken. Passing showers and downpours. Rain could be heavy at times. Storm surge falls gradually.

8 AM Tuesday – Winds ease, but still breezy. Cloudy with passing showers and downpours. Rain could be heavy at times.Storm surge falls gradually.

In a year that’s seen everything from a global pandemic to murder hornets, now we have a possibility of not one but two hurricanes in Gulf waters at the same time.  Tropical Depression 13 was the first to become a named storm as Laura on Friday morning. Tropical Depression 14 became Tropical Storm Marco Friday night.  Could they merge in the Gulf?  It’s possible. But not likely. Here’s what to know about the Fujiwhara Effect.

It’s way too early to know the exact intensity and track these two systems will take. Regardless, we’re in a very active hurricane season, so it’s a good idea to know what you’ll need if a storm was approaching.

Here is a list of important items you should have at home or take with you if you evacuate:

• Water – at least 1 gallon daily per person for 3-7 days; also fill bathtub and other containers; Gator Aid is good to fend off dehydration
• Food – at least enough for 3-7 days; non-perishable packaged or canned food; juices; foods for infants or elderly family members; snack foods; food for special diets
• Non-electric can opener
• Cooking tools, fuel
• Paper plates and cups, plastic utensils
• Bedding: Blankets, Pillows, etc.
• Clothing
• Rain gear
• Sturdy shoes
• First Aid Kit, Medicines, Prescription Drugs
• Toilet paper, paper towels, trash bags
• Toiletries, hand sanitizer, hygiene items, moisture wipes, dry shampoo
• Flashlight, batteries, lantern
• Radio: Battery operated and NOAA weather radio
• Telephones: Fully charged cell phone with extra battery; chargers; traditional (not cordless) telephone set
• Cash (with some small bills) and Credit Cards: Banks and ATMs may not be available for extended periods
• Important documents: Place in a waterproof container or watertight resealable plastic bag: Should include insurance, medical records, bank account numbers, Social Security card, prescriptions, etc.
• Tools: Keep a set with you during the storm
• Gas: Fill up your vehicles several days before landfall is expected; Gas stations could lose power during a storm and supply trucks may not be able to reach the area
• Pet care items: Proper identification, immunization records, medications, ample supply of food and water; a carrier or cage; muzzle and/ or leash
• Bleach without lemon or any other additives
• Fire extinguisher
• Mosquito repellent
• Keys
• Toys, books and games for children
• Duct tape
• Cell Phone charging stations – locations where you can charge mobile devices