A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for the Texas Coast amid a developing storm drifting upward the Gulf of Mexico. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has called the storm a Potential Tropical Cyclone One, posing a threat of tropical-storm-force winds by Wednesday.
The developing storm is currently concentrated 400 miles off the coast of Brownsville. It is not yet named, though the NHC believes that it will become a tropical storm by the end of the day. If it meets tropical storm conditions, with sustained winds of 39 mph or higher, the storm will be named “Alberto”.
The Tropical Storm Watch is in effect in areas along the Texas coasts from the mouth of the Rio Grande to Port O’ Connor. Conditions include heavy rainfall in coastal Texas cities, as well as flash flooding – including Houston – rip current, and high surf.
Due to thunderstorms and excessive rainfall, a Flood Watch will be in effect in Houston beginning 7 pm Tuesday night through 1 am Thursday morning. The Weather Channel predicts that Houston could receive between 2 and 4 inches of additional rain.
“Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations, particularly urban areas.”
Heavy rainfall won’t occur until late tonight.
According to the National Weather Service, the weather will clear out by the weekend. Friday there is a 40% chance of thunderstorms, though mostly sunny conditions are expected.
NWS expects Saturday to be more or less the same with sunny conditions and a minor chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 pm. Sunday, will also be most sunny, though with a 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms.
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