Tropical Storm Laura forms; still forecast to enter Gulf of Mexico
TAMPA, Fla. - Tropical Storm Laura officially formed after Hurricane Hunters found 45-mph winds and a center of circulation. It's the 11th named storm of the season, and also the earliest "L" name storm on record.
On Friday morning, the center of the storm was found 80 miles south of where it was originally estimated, causing its track to shift south and west of Florida as of the 5 p.m. update.
Most of Florida is now out of the cone, but the National Hurricane Center says the long-range track is uncertain since Laura still has to move either near or over portions of hte Greater Antilles through Monday.
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On Friday evening, it was centered about 40 miles east of Antigua, moving weat at 17 mph with winds still at 45mph.
It's expected to cross portions of the Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico through Saturday.