TEXAS, USA —
We are keeping an eye on the Gulf of Mexico this weekend and certainly into next week.
In the southwestern Gulf of Mexico, there’s a tropical disturbance with a very high chance of becoming at least a tropical depression in the coming days.
While the area of unsettled weather won’t be in the most perfect conditions to strengthen rapidly, conditions are favorable enough that at least a tropical depression or tropical storm is possible. If the disturbance becomes a tropical storm, it will be named “Francine”. Will it become a tropical storm? A hurricane? Too soon to tell, really. But we’re monitoring it closely.
Because a true circulation center has not formed yet, exactly where it goes is too soon to call. A major hurricane is extremely unlikely.
Potential Impact on Texas
It’s still too early to predict the exact path of potential “Francine.” However, there is surprisingly good agreement amongst many model members with the storm tracking along the Mexico-Texas coastline before making landfall anywhere from the Galveston area to central Louisiana. Timing for landfall would be sometime this upcoming Wednesday or Thursday.
Regardless of what we end up calling this tropical disturbance, it has the potential for some decent rains along the coast of Texas, into parts of East Texas, and especially Louisiana. Some storm surge will be possible as well along with gusty winds. Flooding for coastal areas looks to be the main concern for Texas at this point.
Right now, the rain chance in North Texas from this looks fairly low. Some passing showers or storms are possible mainly for eastern areas. All of this could change in the days to come.
Stay tuned for updates!
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