from the excellent
www.crownweather.com [bold
emphasis added]:
Radar and satellite imagery over the last 12 to 18 hours indicate that the disturbance in the eastern Gulf of Mexico has become much better organized and is now considered a Tropical Depression.
The excellent radar presentation and deep convection seen on satellite imagery indicates to me that this will be upgraded to Tropical Storm Claudette probably as early as late this morning. Overall wind shear is quite low and the intensity guidance from SHIPS, LGEM, HWRF and GFDL all
indicate that this storm will make landfall as a 50 to 60 mph tropical storm this evening on the Florida Panhandle between Destin and Panama City.
With that said, I am concerned that with the low shear and downright hot Gulf of Mexico waters that more rapid strengthening is possible than what is being forecast. So, folks along the Florida Panhandle should keep very close tabs on this system and in my opinion make preparations for a high end Tropical Storm or a low end Category 1 Hurricane. (65 to 80 mph).