Tropical Storm Elsa: How Alabama Might Be Affected

BIRMINGHAM, AL — As Tropical Storm Elsa makes its way to Cuba Monday morning, the National Weather Service says the direct impact from Elsa will stay east of Alabama. However, scattered storms could make their way to the state in the next few days.

Tropical storm conditions are expected Monday night and Tuesday in portions of the Florida Keys and southwestern Florida, where a tropical storm warning is in effect.

"Moisture levels rise statewide Tuesday and scattered showers and storms are possible, especially during the afternoon and evening," meteorologist James Spann said. "With a mix of sun and clouds the high will be in the mid to upper 80s. On Wednesday and Thursday, the sky will be occasionally cloudy with scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms thanks to an upper trough just to the west. Highs drop into the low 80s on these two days with only a limited amount of sun."

Spann said Elsa is moving northwest at 14 mph, and the center will cross Cuba at some point Monday, meaning weakening is likely. Then, it will move into the extreme eastern Gulf of Mexico, moving into Florida north of Tampa Bay late Tuesday night.