HOLT, Fla., Aug. 23, 2020—Tropical Storm Marco is nearing hurricane strength according to the National Hurricane Center.

Today’s 7 a.m. CDT NHC update show maximum sustained winds at 70 mph.

Less than three days from landfall, TS Marco is forecast to hit near the New Orleans area midday Monday as a category 1 hurricane.

A smaller storm, tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 60 miles, according to the NHC.

There are no watches or warnings for this area at this time.

This area can expect to feel gusty winds from Marco late tomorrow, into early Monday; however, the National Weather Service in Mobile is forecasting tropical storm force winds to be west of here in Alabama and Mississippi.

Rain forecast for this area is an 80 percent chance of scattered thunderstorms for today and 60 percent for tomorrow as Marco approaches Louisiana.