Francine Rapidly Weakening As It Moves Through Deep South

Francine made landfall in southern Louisiana around 5 p.m. CDT on Wednesday in the Parish of Terrebonne near Morgan City as a Category 2 hurricane with maximum winds of 100 mph. Francine is weakening rapidly as it tracks through northern Mississippi this evening.

As of 4 p.m. CDT, Post-Tropical Cyclone Francine is located near 33.8 N, 89.8 W, or about 90 miles south of Memphis, Tenn. Francine was moving north at about 9 mph. Maximum sustained winds have decreased to 25 mph, with the minimum central pressure of 996 mb, or 29.42 inches of mercury.

Francine is now a post-tropical cyclone, and will continue to move in a north direction today, bringing the center of Francine through northern Mississippi. Francine's forward motion is expected to slow down as it continues to rapidly weaken. 

Francine will continue to bring heavy rainfall to the Deep South, Tennessee Valley and the Gulf Coast. Rainfall amounts will generally range from 3 to 6 inches, with locally higher amounts up to 8 inches possible. The past few weeks have featured a number of tropical disturbances bringing heavy rainfall to the Texas and Louisiana Gulf coasts, so this rain is not particularly welcome, and flash flooding is likely to occur. Flood Watches are in effect across the Deep South, including eastern Arkansas, western Tennessee, all of Mississippi and Alabama, western Georgia and parts of the Florida Panhandle.

A few tornadoes will be possible this evening as Francine continues to move inland. The best chance for tornadoes will be over central Alabama. A Tornado Watch is currently in effect across central Alabama.

In addition to a tornado threat, breezy winds will also be found near Francine today. Sustained winds of 15 to 25 mph are likely across the Deep South, with wind gusts of 35 to 50 mph. Widespread Wind Advisories have been posted for the Deep South. 

Although the last few weeks have been pretty quiet, the 2024 season got off to a raucous start. Hurricane Beryl became the earliest Category 5 storm on record before eventually whipping the Houston area with 70 to 80 mph winds. The peak of the season, climatologically, is this week, although big storms are quite common well into October.