Tropical Storm Francine Update as Florida Tornado Threat Intensifies

National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologists are warning of an increased tornado threat this week for the Florida panhandle and southern Alabama as Tropical Storm Francine strengthens in the Gulf of Mexico.
Francine became the sixth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season on Monday. It formed after an unexpected lull in tropical activity that followed Hurricane Ernesto, which never made U.S. landfall, although it created a life-threatening risk of rip currents along the East Coast. Meteorologists predicted an exceptionally active Atlantic hurricane season this year, citing the El Niño weather pattern and uncommonly warm sea surface temperatures.
As of Tuesday morning, Francine’s maximum sustained winds were documented at 65 mph. The storm, which is expected to strengthen into a hurricane on Tuesday, is forecast to make landfall along the Louisiana coastline on Wednesday, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC).
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As the storm nears Gulf Coast states, it could spawn tornadoes, the NWS office in Mobile said on X, formerly Twitter.
“There will be an increased tornado threat across the area, especially across locations near the coast. It currently appears that the tornado threat will be greatest Wednesday night into Thursday,” the office posted on Tuesday morning. “Be sure to stay alert and have multiple ways to receive warning information.”
NWS meteorologist Jonathan Howell told Newsweek that tropical storms and hurricanes produce a favorable environment for tornadoes because of increased winds and moisture. The atmospheric instability frequently occurs on the northeast and eastern sides of the tropical system.
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He added that tornadoes produced by tropical systems are generally weaker.
“But when we say weak, it’s all relative because you know tornadoes are inherently strong in their own right,” he said. “Typically, they are less significant tornadoes, but that’s not always the case. A small percentage of tropical cyclones do produce significant tornadoes.”
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According to a map included with NWS Mobile’s post, the greatest tornado threat is for the cities of Pensacola and Destin, Florida, and Wiggins, Mobile and Gulf Shores, Alabama. Peak tornado threat will be from Wednesday night into Thursday.
Although tornadoes associated with hurricanes and tropical storms typically occur far from the storm’s eye, that’s not always the case and tornadoes can also occur near the storm’s eyewall, the NWS said on a webpage dedicated to the topic.
Eastern Alabama and the Florida panhandle also will face other threats associated with the storm, including heavy rainfall, flooding, tropical storm-force winds and dangerous rip currents. The risk for rip currents will begin Tuesday night and extend through Friday. The greatest risk for heavy rainfall and flooding will be Wednesday night.