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The first tropical storm of the year has formed in the Atlantic, packing major rainfall for the U.S. Gulf Coast.The National Hurricane Center continues to track a system off the coast of Texas and upgraded it to Tropical Storm Arthur on Wednesday morning.The system is bringing heavy rainfall and the risk of life-threatening flash flooding to portions of the southern United States.The system is moving northeastward along the Texas coast at 9 mph and is expected to increase in forward speed, according to the NHC.On the forecast track, the system should move northeastward along the Texas coast on Wednesday and then move inland over southwestern Louisiana.Maximum sustained winds are near 40 mph with higher gusts. The estimated minimum central pressure is 1001 mb.Weakening is anticipated on Thursday after the system moves back over land.Watches, warningsA Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for Sargent, Texas to High Island, Texas.A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for High Island, Texas to Morgan City, Louisiana.ImpactsRainRainfall totals of 5 to 10 inches with isolated higher totals up to 20 inches are possible through Thursday from the mid-to-upper Texas Coast through much of Louisiana, central and southern portions of Mississippi and Alabama, along with western portions of Georgia and the Florida Panhandle.This could generate dangerous or life-threatening flash flooding.Storm surgeThe combination of a dangerous storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline. The water could reach the following heights above ground somewhere in the indicated areas if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide.Port Bolivar, Texas, to Morgan City, Louisiana: 2 to 4 feetTornadoesA tornado or two is possible tonight through Wednesday night from the Upper Texas Coast into southern Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and the western Florida Panhandle.SurfSwells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions along the northwestern Gulf Coast, the NHC says.Sister station WESH contributed to this reporting.
The first tropical storm of the year has formed in the Atlantic, packing major rainfall for the U.S. Gulf Coast.
The National Hurricane Center continues to track a system off the coast of Texas and upgraded it to Tropical Storm Arthur on Wednesday morning.
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The system is bringing heavy rainfall and the risk of life-threatening flash flooding to portions of the southern United States.
The system is moving northeastward along the Texas coast at 9 mph and is expected to increase in forward speed, according to the NHC.
On the forecast track, the system should move northeastward along the Texas coast on Wednesday and then move inland over southwestern Louisiana.
Maximum sustained winds are near 40 mph with higher gusts. The estimated minimum central pressure is 1001 mb.
Weakening is anticipated on Thursday after the system moves back over land.
Watches, warnings
A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for Sargent, Texas to High Island, Texas.
A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for High Island, Texas to Morgan City, Louisiana.
Impacts
Rain
Rainfall totals of 5 to 10 inches with isolated higher totals up to 20 inches are possible through Thursday from the mid-to-upper Texas Coast through much of Louisiana, central and southern portions of Mississippi and Alabama, along with western portions of Georgia and the Florida Panhandle.
This could generate dangerous or life-threatening flash flooding.
Storm surge
The combination of a dangerous storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline. The water could reach the following heights above ground somewhere in the indicated areas if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide.
Port Bolivar, Texas, to Morgan City, Louisiana: 2 to 4 feet
Tornadoes
A tornado or two is possible tonight through Wednesday night from the Upper Texas Coast into southern Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and the western Florida Panhandle.
Surf
Swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions along the northwestern Gulf Coast, the NHC says.
Sister station WESH contributed to this reporting.
