Tropical Storm Barry appears to be in no hurry to leave the Gulf of Mexico, still meandering west-northward at a sluggish 3 miles per hour with max winds at 65 miles per hour and gusts up to 75 miles per hour.
The National Hurricane Center still expects Barry could briefly reach category 1 hurricane strength with maximum winds of 75 miles per hour before landfall.
"Barry has been able to strengthen over the past day or so despite northerly shear and dry mid-level air. With the recent increase in convection near the center and the expansion of the upper-level outflow, it appears that the shear over the center has decreased," reasoned NHC forecasters in the discussion posted with the 10 p.m. advisory.
All watches and warnings remain in effect.