Pair of tropical storms expected to hit Gulf Coast states within days

States in and around the Gulf Coast are bracing for a pair of tropical storms that are expected to make landfall in the coming days and could strengthen as they approach the U.S.

The National Weather Service is warning that Tropical Storm Laura, which is currently centered over the Virgin Islands and could make landfall on Wednesday, could become a hurricane in the next few days.

Tropical Storm Marco is also currently off the Yucatan Peninsula and will continue northward toward the U.S.

The National Weather Service has warned of “higher than normal uncertainty in the specific impacts from these storms.”

❗️Here are the 4 am Saturday tracks, situation overview, impacts & safety messages forTropical Storms Laura & Marco. Note, the track of Laura has been shifted slightly west of the previous forecast, however impacts to southeast LA and south MS remain about the same.#lawx #mswx pic.twitter.com/ReFnM55zSZ

— NWS New Orleans (@NWSNewOrleans) August 22, 2020

8/22/20 5am NHC Advisory has #Laura centered over the Virgin Islands. The forecast brings it across the Greater Antilles this weekend, emerging into Gulf on Mon, and becoming a hurricane before landfall on Wed. Dangerous beach/marine conditions and heavy rainfall are possible. pic.twitter.com/nT0T7BR6gu

— NWS Tallahassee (@NWSTallahassee) August 22, 2020

The tropical storms are days away from hitting the U.S., but having two race across the Gulf of Mexico at the same time is rare, and they could strengthen each other.

“We have never had two hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico simultaneously,” Phil Klotzbach, a tropical researcher for Colorado State University, told CNN.

It is only the third time the Gulf area has had two tropical storm-strength systems simultaneously, according to Klotzbach.

“Threats at this time include heavy rainfall, coastal flooding and strong winds mainly during the Tuesday through Thursday time frame from Tropical Storm Laura,” the National Weather Service said.

The formation of the two storms comes weeks before the typical peak of hurricane season, which normally falls around Sept. 10.