A report filed with federal regulators reveals the offshore pipeline that spilled tens of thousands of gallons of crude oil off the Southern California coast in October did not have a fully functioning leak detection system.

ORLANDO, Fla. – For the first time in a very long time, there are no active tropical systems in the Atlantic. This break in the action may last through the end of September before tropical activity pics back up in October. The Western Caribbean has a lot of untapped energy for tropical systems to use. The darker the red and orange color in the map below represents the higher available energy for storms to use. Darker colors equal more available energy for tropical systems to use.

HOUSTON – As Tropical Storm Beta neared the Texas coast Monday, the biggest unknown was how much rainfall it could produce in areas that have already seen their share of damaging weather during a busy hurricane season. Rain from Beta was already coming down Monday in the Houston area. Earlier predictions of up to 20 inches (51 centimeters) in some areas were downgraded Monday to up to 15 inches (38 centimeters). Forecasters and officials reassured residents Beta was not expected to be another Hurricane Harvey or Tropical Storm Imelda. Harvey in 2017 dumped more than 50 inches (127 centimeters) of rain on Houston, causing $125 billion in damage in Texas.

Forecasters said Beta was not expected to bring the same amount of rainfall that Texas experienced during either Hurricane Harvey in 2017 or Tropical Storm Imelda last year. The first rain bands from Beta reached the Texas coast on Sunday, but the heaviest rain wasn't expected to arrive until Monday into Tuesday. If the system makes landfall in Texas, it would be the ninth named storm to make landfall in the continental U.S. in 2020. A tropical storm warning was in effect for Bermuda. Wilfred, which had been a tropical storm, weakened to a tropical depression earlier Sunday.

The National Hurricane Center said Beta formed around 4 p.m. in the Gulf of Mexico. pic.twitter.com/zpDa2xBGqg — Jonathan Kegges (@JonathanKegges) September 18, 2020The storm could strengthen and near hurricane strength on Sunday, according to the hurricane center. According to the National Hurricane Center, the system is expected to fall apart over the weekend. Subtropical Storm #Alpha Advisory 2: Alpha Makes Landfall in Portugal. https://t.co/VqHn0uj6EM — National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) September 18, 2020Wilfred’s maximum sustained winds Friday afternoon were near 40 mph.

Location 60 miles NNE of Birmingham Alabama Wind 10 mph Heading NE at 10 mph Pressure 29.83 Coordinates 86.3W, 34.3NDiscussionAt 400 AM CDT (0900 UTC), the center of Post-Tropical Cyclone Beta was located near latitude 34.3 North, longitude 86.3 West. The post-tropical cyclone is moving toward the northeast near 10 mph (17 km/h) until it becomes indistinguishable within the background wind and pressure field by mid-afternoon Friday. Maximum sustained winds are near 10 mph (20 km/h) with higher gusts. The estimated minimum central pressure is 1010 mb (29.83 inches). Tropics Satellite at 4:39 Friday Night, September 25thWatches and WarningsThere are no watches or warnings in effect.