Northwestern State University of Louisiana is keeping a watchful eye on an impending hurricane.

The tropical depression is expected to move into the Gulf of Mexico early this weekend, said Brandon Thorne, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Shreveport.

“We are looking at it to rapidly intensify as it moves into the Gulf of Mexico,” Thorne said. “Sea surface temperatures are warm right now, which is prime for rapid intensification.”

The ninth tropical depression of the year is expected to become a hurricane by Saturday, Aug. 28 and is projected to be at least a category 3 hurricane.

“Be prepared to stay indoors Monday and Tuesday,” said Julie Powell, Environmental Health and Safety Officer.

“Model trends have slowly been trending eastward, showing a possible southeast Louisiana landfall,” Thorne said.

Thorne said that once the tropical depression becomes a hurricane, they are looking for it to progress upwards through Louisiana starting over the weekend and continuing through early next week.

Powell said that students, faculty, and staff should keep up with the weather and plan on staying indoors Monday and Tuesday, though the trajectory could change at any time.

“As we get closer, anything that is serious that is affecting us, we will send out a student messenger or purple alert,” said Powell.