Tropical Storm Nate lost some of its strength but remains a considerable tropical storm this weekend.

As of the 11 p.m. advisory on Friday, Tropical Storm Nate was located about 230 miles east-northeast of Veracruz, Mexico, with highest sustained winds at 50 mph.  Nate was nearly stationary with only modest forward motion expected into the weekend.

While upper-level winds are light, dry air became entrained into the system, which limited its ability to further strengthen.   Rapid movement in one direction or another is not likely because of the lack of a defined steering current.  Once a good feed of moisture gets wrapped into the circulation, Nate will likely grow stronger.  Tropical computer guidance is starting to hone in on more of a north drift over the weekend, with a turn to the northwest or west early next week.  Direct impacts are expected mainly in the western Gulf region.

We will continue to monitor Nate as it meanders in the southwest Gulf for the next couple of days.