FIRST ALERT: More storms Saturday PM and Laura’s track shifts west

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - Scattered showers and storms continue this evening across Alabama. Expect rain to end before midnight.

The big news is the double-trouble heading toward the Gulf of Mexico. We are tracking Tropical Storm Laura over the Atlantic and Tropical Storm Marco near the Yucatan Peninsula.

Laura could pose a threat to Alabama and the Florida Gulf Coast on Wednesday, but the track continues to shift west and that means the worst of the weather would miss Alabama. Right now models put the storm making landfall in Louisiana. Several key forecast models are even shifting the system farther west.

There is also a lot of uncertainty as to how strong Laura will be once she tracks over the Gulf. Some models do not show her even at Tropical Storm strength.

We will continue to keep the new information flowing on social media, on the news, and on the WBRC First Alert Weather app.

We are keeping a 30-40% chance for scattered storms over the weekend in central Alabama and much stormier weather along the coast.

Tropical Storm Laura is forecast to track across northern Cuba this weekend and then end up over the Gulf of Mexico early next week. Once that happens it is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane and track towards New Orleans instead of Mobile. The track continues to shift west which is better news for Alabama and the Panhandle of Florida.

Tropical Storm Marco is forecast to end up in the Gulf as well and may potentially strengthen into a hurricane. If we have two hurricanes at the same time in the Gulf then history will be made. Marco looks to head towards Houston for Tuesday. A lot can change between now and then so keep up with the latest info via the WBRC First Alert Weather app.

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