As we reported yesterday, Tropical Storm Nate is expected to strengthen into a Category 1 hurricane as it travels into the Gulf of Mexico over the weekend. Experts warned that Nate could make a turn towards the Gulf Coast, and now weather models validate those warnings.

As of this morning, the National Weather Service has issued a Hurricane Warning starting in Grand Isle’s Louisiana and extending through Orange Beach Alabama.

Still a great distance from land, an exact landfall timetable has yet to be established, but most models indicate the storm will make impact the Gulf Coast starting early Sunday Morning.

Thankfully, Nate is moving at a steady pace. This will prevent the type of flooding we saw in Houston, as it quickly passes over land. Even better news, eye-wall stabilization does not seem to be much of a factor. The storm is relatively small, and unlike systems that develop over the Atlantic, Nate will have a relatively small window for development.

Like all hurricanes, there is a possibility of small tornado formation on Sunday. However, rain and storm surge should be at minimal levels.

We will update the story as new storm data becomes available.