--- title: Tropical Storm Cristobal description: With Cristobal’s classification as a tropical storm on June 2, it became the third named storm of 2020. image: https://afb.accuweather.com/hubfs/cristobal-eye.jpg --- [Skip to content](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/tropical-storm-cristobal#main-content) [![accuweather-business-white-01](https://afb.accuweather.com/hubfs/Website/accuweather-business-white-01.svg "accuweather-business-white-01")](https://afb.accuweather.com/) - [Learn & Support](https://afb.accuweather.com/learn-support) Learn & Support [Overview](https://afb.accuweather.com/learn-support) - [Case Studies](https://www.accuweather.com/en/news/case-studies) - [Webinars](https://www.accuweather.com/en/blogs-webinars/welcome-to-accuweathers-webinar-hub/1692349) - [Press Releases](https://corporate.accuweather.com/newsroom/press-releases/) - [Blog](https://www.accuweather.com/en/news/blogs-webinars) [![accu-winter-events](https://afb.accuweather.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Website/accu-winter-events.jpg?width=90&height=90&name=accu-winter-events.jpg)](https://afb.accuweather.com/webinar-winter-risk-mitigation-services) Webinar [Take the Worry out of Winter: Risk Mitigation](https://afb.accuweather.com/webinar-winter-risk-mitigation-services) [![accu-hurricane-events](https://afb.accuweather.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Website/accu-hurricane-events.jpg?width=90&height=90&name=accu-hurricane-events.jpg)](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/hurricane-relief-tips-how-your-business-can-help-without-becoming-a-victim) Blog [How your business can help without becoming a victim](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/hurricane-relief-tips-how-your-business-can-help-without-becoming-a-victim) - [Let's Get Started](https://afb.accuweather.com/lets-get-started) - [Learn & Support](https://afb.accuweather.com/learn-support) - [Case Studies](https://www.accuweather.com/en/news/case-studies) - [Webinars](https://www.accuweather.com/en/blogs-webinars/welcome-to-accuweathers-webinar-hub/1692349) - [Press Releases](https://corporate.accuweather.com/newsroom/press-releases/) - [Blog](https://www.accuweather.com/en/news/blogs-webinars) [Home](https://afb.accuweather.com/)  /  [Success Stories](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/tag/success-stories)  /  [Retail](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/tag/retail) # Tropical Storm Cristobal Posted by [AccuWeather for Business](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/author/accuweather-for-business) on Jul 9, 2020 ![](https://afb.accuweather.com/hs-fs/hubfs/cristobal-eye.jpg?width=1200&height=628&name=cristobal-eye.jpg) Summary ## AccuWeather For Business clients relied on accurate, early predictions and impact forecasts before, during and after Tropical Storm Cristobal U.S. landfall Key Highlights #### Clients were alerted to potential development one week before any other sources #### 50+ client conference calls were conducted in response to Cristobal #### New AssetReport™ feature was introduced to help clients monitor multiple assets simultaneously ## A Unique, Record-Breaking Storm With Cristobal’s classification as a tropical storm on June 2, it became the third named storm of 2020 and arrived three days sooner than the previous record holder - Tropical Storm Colin strengthened into a named system on June 5, 2016. From inception, meteorologists and hurricane experts noted the extreme rarity of Cristobal’s origination. Developing from the remnants of Tropical Storm Amanda in the Pacific, it made for a rare crossover storm. From its unique formation to its extraordinary 2,000-mile-long track from the Gulf of Mexico to the Midwest, its impacts exceeded expectations for an early-season tropical storm. What it lacked in wind speed, it made up for in storm surge. "Cristobal’s development was associated with a large counter-clockwise wind pattern referred to as a gyre," AccuWeather Hurricane Expert Dan Kottlowski said. "The Central American Gyre (CAG) is more common during the late summer and fall season." ## Timeline - As early as May 24, AccuWeather's long-range forecast team discussed with clients the potential for a tropical system to form in the Gulf of Mexico during early June, over a week before formation on June 1 - On May 27, AccuWeather's top hurricane expert included this potential in a tropical discussion - On May 30, public sources indicated no possible development over the next 5 days in the Gulf of Mexico - A tropical depression formed in the Bay of Campeche on June 1 and quickly strengthened into Tropical Storm Cristobal on June 2 - Cristobal made landfall along the southeast Louisiana coast as a tropical storm packing 50-mph winds on the evening of June 7, unleashing heavy rainfall, storm surge flooding and high winds, as predicted. Tropical storm conditions spread across the Mississippi and Alabama coastlines and heavy rain fell across the Florida Panhandle ## Clients Prepared For Tropical Storm Impacts AccuWeather For Business clients were alerted of Cristobal’s potential development and northward track toward the Gulf Coast earlier than any other source, giving them a head start to prepare operations. As early as May 31, AccuWeather For Business was briefing clients of a potential landfall over the Gulf Coast, while as early as June 1 it was stated to a major Fortune 50 retailer that landfall was likely in Louisiana on Sunday, June 7. Prior to Tropical Storm Cristobal, AccuWeather For Business debuted its new AssetReport feature providing clients with asset-specific insights that were continually updated as the situation evolved, including the start and end times of tropical-storm-force winds in relation to those assets. This information is critical to opening and closing decisions on a location by location basis and managing risk to life and property. In the days leading up to landfall of Cristobal, AccuWeather For Business meteorologists conducted more than 50 conference calls with clients across the U.S. Businesses and organizations utilize AFB consultation services by asking location-specific questions to our business weather experts and discussing the risks in the forecast, giving them the confidence they need to make the best decisions possible. Knowing the potential risks well ahead of any tropical system is an important part of developing, maintaining, and executing an emergency action plan for the tropical season. Advantages of our hurricane expertise, tools and services: - Team of meteorologists watching out for you and your assets - Ability to consult 1:1 with a meteorologist for extra insight when critical decisions are necessary - Tools to help you understand weather impacts ahead of other sources - Most accurate forecasts, independent of public sources - No-hype forecasts tailored to your operations and specific concerns Learn more about our hurricane forecasts and services or contact us for a no-obligation trial. [Get Started](https://afb.accuweather.com/tropical-services) ## Demo our Tropical Services ### To take advantage of our hurricane forecasts this season, contact our team for a no-obligation trial ## The latest from AccuWeather For Business [![snowy street](https://afb.accuweather.com/hs-fs/hubfs/GettyImages-108137681-1.jpg?width=506&height=265&name=GettyImages-108137681-1.jpg)](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/blizzard-blasts-northeast-accuweather-forecasts-it-better-than-any-other-source) ### [Blizzard blasts Northeast, AccuWeather forecasts it better than any other source](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/blizzard-blasts-northeast-accuweather-forecasts-it-better-than-any-other-source) Blizzard Buries Northeast On the last weekend of January, a powerful winter storm slammed into... [Read More](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/blizzard-blasts-northeast-accuweather-forecasts-it-better-than-any-other-source) --- 2 minute read • Feb 2, 2022 [![](https://afb.accuweather.com/hs-fs/hubfs/18-Dec-10-2020-08-14-30-51-PM.jpeg?width=506&height=265&name=18-Dec-10-2020-08-14-30-51-PM.jpeg)](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/first-of-several-large-storms-to-impact-businesses-in-the-northwest-later-this-weekend) ### [First of several large storms to impact businesses in the Northwest later this weekend](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/first-of-several-large-storms-to-impact-businesses-in-the-northwest-later-this-weekend) The stormiest stretch looks to be from Saturday night through the end of next week. During this... [Read More](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/first-of-several-large-storms-to-impact-businesses-in-the-northwest-later-this-weekend) --- 1 minute read • Dec 11, 2020 [![](https://afb.accuweather.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ZetaZoomTrack28Oct8a.jpg?width=506&height=265&name=ZetaZoomTrack28Oct8a.jpg)](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/zeta-landfall-expected-tonight) ### [Zeta landfall expected tonight](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/zeta-landfall-expected-tonight) The worst impacts from Zeta; including the potential for tornadoes; are expected along and just to... [Read More](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/zeta-landfall-expected-tonight) --- 2 minute read • Oct 28, 2020 ## Want our stories delivered straight to you? Subscribe to our blog today! [![accuweather-business-all-white](https://afb.accuweather.com/hubfs/Website/accuweather-business-all-white.svg "accuweather-business-all-white")](https://afb.accuweather.com/) AFB PORTAL [LOGIN](https://enterpriseportal-v2.accuweather.com/login.html) [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/AccuWeather/) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/accuweather-for-business/) [Follow us on Twitter](https://www.twitter.com/accuweather) [Follow us on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/accuweather/?hl=en) - [Learn & Support](https://afb.accuweather.com/learn-support) - [Case Studies](https://www.accuweather.com/en/news/case-studies) - [Webinars](https://www.accuweather.com/en/blogs-webinars/welcome-to-accuweathers-webinar-hub/1692349) - [Press Releases](https://corporate.accuweather.com/newsroom/press-releases/) - [Blog](https://www.accuweather.com/en/news/blogs-webinars) © 2026 AccuWeather, Inc. - [AccuWeather.com](https://www.accuweather.com/) - [Privacy Policy](https://www.accuweather.com/en/privacy) - [Terms of Use](https://www.accuweather.com/en/legal) - [Cookie Preferences](https://www.accuweather.com/en/cookiepolicy) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "AccuWeather for Business", "url" : "https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/author/accuweather-for-business" }, "dateModified" : "2022-10-17T16:06:19.466Z", "datePublished" : "2020-07-09T21:26:00.000Z", "headline" : "Tropical Storm Cristobal", "image" : [ "https://afb.accuweather.com/hubfs/cristobal-eye.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/tropical-storm-cristobal", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://afb.accuweather.com/hubfs/AW_Horiz_Transparent_Logo.png" }, "name" : "AccuWeather" } } ```