Storm tracker: System could bring heavy rain in Gulf from Florida to Texas
A stretch of the Gulf Coast from the Florida panhandle to the central Texas coast could see heavy rain this weekend due to a broad area of low pressure currently over the north-central Gulf.
The National Hurricane Center said in a July 25 advisory the area of low pressure is currently producing "an area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms."
Hurricane center forecasters said slow development of this system is possible over the next day or so as it moves west-northwest across the northern Gulf. However, by this weekend the system is likely to move inland over southeastern Texas or western Louisiana, ending its chances for development.
The National Weather Service said early Friday morning 1 to 3 inches of rain are expected from the Florida panhandle to the central Texas coast by Sunday morning, however the threat of flash flooding remains "marginal."
Hurricane center forecasters give this system a 10% chance of formation through the next seven days.
NHC also keeping an eye on two systems in the Pacific
The NHC also said in its July 25 advisory it is keeping an eye on disorganized showers and thunderstorms associated with an area of low pressure located well southeast of the Hawaiian Islands.
Forecasters said gradual development of this system is possible, and a tropical depression could form late this weekend or early next week as it moves generally westward across the far western portion of the eastern Pacific and into the Central Pacific basin. The NHC gives this system a 40% chance of formation through the next seven days.
Additionally, an area of low pressure is forecast to form offshore of the southwestern coast of Mexico early next week, according to the hurricane center. Thereafter, environmental conditions appear conducive for some development as the system moves west-northwestward.
The NHC says the system has a 20% chance of formation through the next seven days.
Storm tracker
This forecast track shows the most likely path of the center of the storm. It does not illustrate the full width of the storm or its impacts, and the center of the storm is likely to travel outside the cone up to 33% of the time.
How do hurricanes form?
Hurricanes are born in the tropics, above warm water. Clusters of thunderstorms can develop over the ocean when water temperatures exceed 80 degrees Fahrenheit. If conditions are right, the clusters swirl into a storm known as a tropical wave or tropical depression.
A tropical depression becomes a named tropical storm once its sustained wind speeds reaches 39 miles per hour. When its winds reach 74 mph, the storm officially becomes a hurricane.
Prepare now for hurricanes
Delaying potentially life-saving preparations could mean waiting until it’s too late. "Get your disaster supplies while the shelves are still stocked, and get that insurance checkup early, as flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period," NOAA recommends.
- Develop an evacuation plan: If you are at risk from hurricanes, you need an evacuation plan. Now is the time to begin planning where you would go and how you would get there.
- Assemble disaster supplies: Whether you’re evacuating or sheltering-in-place, you’re going to need supplies not just to get through the storm but for the potentially lengthy aftermath, NOAA said.
- Get an insurance checkup and document your possessions: Contact your insurance company or agent now and ask for an insurance check-up to make sure you have enough insurance to repair or even replace your home and/or belongings. Remember, home and renters insurance doesn’t cover flooding, so you’ll need a separate policy for it. Flood insurance is available through your company, agent, or the National Flood Insurance Program. Act now, as flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period.
- Create a family communication plan: NOAA said to take the time now to write down your hurricane plan, and share it with your family. Determine family meeting places, and make sure to include an out-of-town location in case of evacuation.
- Strengthen your home: Now is the time to improve your home’s ability to withstand hurricane impacts. Trim trees; install storm shutters, accordion shutters, and/or impact glass; seal outside wall openings.
Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at Paste BN. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@gannett.com.