A disturbance, marked by the ‘X,’ is being monitored in the Gulf of Mexico. This disturbance could become a tropical depression or tropical storm before moving inland. Even if it doesn’t develop, the system could produce heavy rainfall over portions of southeastern Texas and southwestern Louisiana during the next few days.
NOAA National Hurricane CenterA disturbance in the Gulf of Mexico could become a tropical depression or tropical storm, according to the National Hurricane Center.
As of 7 a.m., shower and thunderstorm activity remained disorganized. But the conditions are “marginally conducive” for developing a short-lived tropical depression or storm before the disturbance moves inland over the northwestern Gulf coast tonight.
What to expect this hurricane season: NOAA predicts another ‘above-normal’ Atlantic hurricane season
Even if it doesn’t develop (at 7 a.m. the National Hurricane Center gave it a 40 percent chance of developing), the system could produce heavy rainfall over portions of southeastern Texas and southwestern Louisiana during the next few days.
The National Weather Service’s Houston/Galveston office said impacts to the local area, if any, would likely be confined to periods of locally heavy rainfall between later today and early Saturday evening. There could also be elevated seas, above-normal tides and a high rip current risk for most of the weekend.
This disturbance comes before the official start of hurricane season on June 1. NOAA is predicting an above-normal hurricane season with 13 to 20 named storms. Between six and 10 of those could become hurricanes and three to five could be major hurricanes of Category 3 or higher.
This year is not expected to be as intense as 2020, which had two tropical storms prior to the official start of hurricane season.