There were no major changes to the forecast path of Hurricane Delta Monday night.
The National Hurricane Center says the ingredients are in place for Delta to strengthen into a major category three hurricane as it approaches the Yucatan peninsula, as it moves through an area of low wind shear, plenty of tropical moisture and warm sea temperatures.
"These favorable environmental conditions for the hurricane will persist for the next 2 or 3 days or so, and therefore, it seems reasonable to believe that rapid intensification will continue in the short term," said a NHC discussion posted Monday night.
Delta could see some slight weakening before landfall due to forecasted wind shear and moving over cooler waters, but forecasters are putting a category two storm just off the Louisiana coast Friday. The cone of uncertainty stretches from Louisiana to the Florida panhandle.
"While there is large uncertainty in the track and intensity forecasts, there is an increasing risk of dangerous storm surge, wind, and rainfall hazards along the coast from Louisiana to the western Florida Panhandle beginning Thursday night or Friday. Residents in these areas should ensure they have their hurricane plan in place and monitor updates to the forecast of Delta," said the NHC.
The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season ends on November 30.