Tropical Storm Alberto formed over the Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday, marking the first named storm of the season.
Alberto, in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico, was designated as Potential Tropical Cyclone One earlier this week.
In Wednesday morning’s update, the NHC said Alberto would bring heavy rains and coastal flooding to the Texas and northeastern Mexico coasts through Thursday. It currently has 40 mph maximum winds.
A tropical storm warning is in effect for the Texas coast from San Luis Pass south to the mouth of the Rio Grande and for the northeastern coast of Mexico south of the mouth of the Rio Grande to Puerto de Altamira.
It is expected to reach the coast of northeastern Mexico early Thursday. Some strengthening is expected Wednesday before it reaches land and then it’s expected to weaken rapidly as it moves inland.
The other two areas the NHC is monitoring is one in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean east of the Bahamas and another also in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico:
Southwestern Atlantic Ocean:
The NHC is monitoring an area several hundred miles east of the Bahamas. As of the 2 a.m. update, environmental conditions could help it develop over the next few days as it most west or west-northwest. It will approach the coast of the southeastern U.S. at the end of the week.
It has a 20% chance of formation in the next two days and a 20% chance in the next seven days.
Southwestern Gulf of Mexico
Another area of low pressure could develop this weekend in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico. It is expected to gradually develop through early next week while it moves west-northwest or northwest.
There is a 30% chance of development in the next seven days.
Hurricane season runs through November. The next named storm would be Beryl.
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