Cristobal will drench Mississippi in the coming days

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Tropical Storm Cristobal will drench Mississippi and other Gulf Coast states for the next several days as it continues to move north.

Here’s a look at the current 5-day forecast rainfall amounts from @NWSWPC. #Cristobal https://t.co/PLSQfVWLWs pic.twitter.com/pk1Z4aSVT8

— National Weather Service (@NWS) June 6, 2020

The storm is expected to produce life-threatening 3-foot to 5-foot storm surges on Mississippi’s coast within the next 36 hours from the mouth of the Mississippi River to Ocean Springs.

As it moves inland, it will bring heavy rain and high winds. Tropical Storm Warnings have been issued for Pike, Walthall, Amite and Wilkinson counties, in addition to the Gulf Coast counties of Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama.

Good morning, Cristobal.@spann pic.twitter.com/f6CE3tAdE9

— Brandon Gurganus (@BGBama04) June 6, 2020

Heavy rainfall will continue across west and north Florida Saturday, spreading from east to west across the eastern and central Gulf Coast from the Florida Panhandle into Louisiana Saturday into Sunday.

This heavy rain will move into the Lower Mississippi Valley Monday. Significant flooding will be possible on smaller streams, especially where heavier rainfall occurs over portions of the Gulf Coast and Lower Mississippi Valley.

There has not been much change in the track forecast or forecast reasoning. Cristobal should continue northward through a weakness in the subtropical ridge until Sunday evening. In three to four days, the post-tropical system should accelerate north-northeast and move into Canada.

Cristobal is likely to remain a broad and asymmetric storm when it makes landfall. Try not to focus on the exact forecast path as the associated winds, storm surge and rainfall will extend well to the east of the center.

Damaging and deadly flooding was already occurring in portions of Mexico and Central America. Additional rainfall from Cristobal will continue to slowly subside, however life-threatening flash floods and mudslides will still be possible through Saturday.