First tropical storm of the season brewing: Texas coast under warnings
Heavy rain and thunderstorms will continue to spread across the central and western Gulf Coast on Tuesday after a tropical storm warning was issued for the Texas coast due to a large, sprawling weather system in the Gulf.
The system, which the National Hurricane Center has dubbed Potential Tropical Cyclone One, is forecast to lumber toward the Gulf Coast over the next day or so. Although the center of the storm will likely make landfall in Mexico as Tropical Storm Alberto, forecasters warned that heavy, potentially flooding rain from the system will fall across much of coastal Texas.
Rainfall totals of 5-10 inches are expected, the hurricane center said, with higher totals reaching 15 inches closer to the coast. "This rainfall will likely produce flash and urban flooding along with new and renewed river flooding," the center said.
In addition, a storm surge up to 4 feet is possible in some areas Wednesday as the storm approaches, while tornadoes are possible across parts of Deep South Texas.
Storm tracker: See latest details, possible path as tropical storm warning issued in Texas
Tropical storm conditions coming Wednesday
Tropical storm conditions are expected beginning Wednesday over portions of the Texas coast south of San Luis Pass. This means sustained winds of 39 mph are possible, so preparations to protect property should be underway, the National Weather Service said.
A tropical storm warning was in effect for the Texas coast from San Luis Pass southward to the mouth of the Rio Grande.
Those in the western Gulf Coast can expect heavy rainfall and the threat of flash floods to intensify, according to National Hurricane Center director Michael Brennan.
Elsewhere, flash flooding, large hail and damaging winds are also forecast across the central Plains, middle Missouri Valley and the upper Midwest, the National Weather Service said.
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Contributing: Doyle Rice
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: First tropical storm of the season brewing; warning map for Texas