Tropical disturbance headed for Gulf as National Hurricane Center watches for development
Forecasters say the disturbance has a low chance of becoming a more significant tropical system before it moves into Texas this weekend.
Area moving into Gulf being tracked for possible tropical development
FOX Weather Hurricane Specialist discusses an area to watch in the Gulf that has been outlined by the National Hurricane Center.
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A tropical disturbance that will move into the Gulf this week is being monitored for the potential for development by the National Hurricane Center.
The NHC said Wednesday a disturbance located near the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico will move west-northwest across the peninsula before entering the southwestern Gulf on Thursday.
According to the NHC, the system has a low chance of development before it moves into Texas this weekend.
Despite chances that the disturbance never becomes anything more than a complex of scattered showers and thunderstorms, the area of disturbed weather has been identified as Invest 98L.
The meaning of invest is simply a naming convention used by forecasters to identify areas they are investigating for possible development over the next week.
TROPICAL STORM ERIN TO BECOME HURRICANE IN DAYS; DANGEROUS BEACH CONDITIONS LIKELY IN CARIBBEAN
(FOX Weather)
"There is no indication that anything strong would develop, but the southern Gulf is a breeding ground for tropical systems due to the curvature of the coast in the Bay of Campeche," FOX Weather Hurricane Specialist Bryan Norcross wrote on his blog Wednesday.
The disturbance is expected to bring periods of heavy rain and rip currents to areas along the southern Texas coast.
On Wednesday, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott ordered officials to activate state resources ahead of the tropical disturbance's arrive in the state.
"As Texas braces for incoming heavy rain and strong winds along the Gulf Coast and South Texas, I activated emergency response resources to help local officials protect their fellow Texans," Abbott said in a written statement. "This tropical system could lead to dangerous travel conditions and potential flash flooding. Texans are urged to take all necessary precautions for potential tropical weather, regularly check road conditions before traveling, and have an emergency plan to keep themselves and their loved ones safe."
Stormy weather in Corpus Christi, Texas as Tropical Storm Alberto swirls in the Gulf of Mexico on June 19, 2024.
(FOX Weather)
While this system isn’t expected to become a full-fledged tropical system, it serves as a reminder that coastal residents should be prepared for one.
The Atlantic hurricane season runs until Nov. 30. August to October is the most active stretch, while Sept. 10 marks the peak.