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Tracking The Tropics: Cristobal Restrengthens Into Tropical Storm

MIAMI (CBSMiami) - What was once Tropical Storm Cristobal, then Tropical Depression Cristobal, has strengthened into Tropical Storm Cristobal once again.

At 11 p.m., the center of the storm was about 440 miles south of the mouth of the Mississippi River. The storm was moving to the north at 14 mph with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph.

The storm is moving toward the north and this general motion is expected to continue for the next couple of days.

On the forecast track, the center will move over the central Gulf of Mexico on Saturday and be near the northern Gulf of Mexico coast Sunday evening.

Some additional strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for...
* Punta Herrero to Rio Lagartos Mexico

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for...
* Intracoastal City Louisiana to the Alabama/Florida border
* Lake Pontchartrain and Lake Maurepas

Tropical storm conditions are expected Friday within the Tropical Storm Warning area along the Yucatan Peninsula. Tropical storm conditions are possible within the Tropical Storm Watch area along the northern Gulf coast beginning early Sunday.

The combination of a dangerous storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline.

A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for...
* Indian Pass to Arepika Florida
* Grand Isle Louisiana to Ocean Springs Mississippi
* Lake Borgne

Heavy rainfall from Cristobal may produce life-threatening flash floods and mudslides in parts of eastern Mexico, Belize, southern Guatemala, coastal portions of Chiapas, and El Salvador.

Through Wednesday morning, for portions of the eastern and central Gulf Coast and the lower Mississippi Valley, rainfall accumulations of 4 to 8 inches, with local amounts to 12 inches, are forecast. Isolated significant river flooding is possible along the central Gulf Coast. Farther north across the Mid-Mississippi Valley, rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches, with local amounts to 6 inches, are expected.

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