Less than two weeks before the official start of hurricane season, the Gulf of Mexico has created the first chance of tropical development this year.
The National Hurricane Center has increased the chances for tropical development to a medium or 40% with the possibility of landfall near Southeast Texas on Friday night as a depression or a storm, according to National Weather Service Lake Charles meteorologist Roger Erickson.
“A low level circulation has now formed. It will make landfall tonight along upper Texas or Southwest Louisiana coast,” Erickson said in an email. “The main impacts for our region continues to be the heavy rain and flash flooding, as well as minor coastal flooding during high tides.”
The tropical development is likely to bring heavy rain and thunderstorms on Friday and into Saturday afternoon.
As a result of the tropical development, a flash flood watch is in effect through 10 p.m. on Friday for Jefferson and Orange Counties. A coastal flood advisory is also in effect.
A second system is currently out in the Atlantic and has a 90% chance for development into a sub-tropical cyclone, but Erickson said the system will not affect the region.
jorge.ramos@beaumontenterprise.com
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