Depression in the Gulf forecast to turn into Tropical Storm Hanna as it nears Texas Coast
UPDATE: Tropical Depression Eight has formed into Tropical Storm Hanna.
Tropical Depression Eight in the Gulf of Mexico could strengthen into Tropical Storm Hanna Friday and will likely bring heavy rains to portions of Louisiana and southern Texas by the weekend, forecasters say.
In an update at 8 p.m. Thursday, the National Hurricane Center says Hurricane Hunters have been sent to investigate the depression, which is expected to bring tropical-storm-force winds to portions of the Texas coast and heavy rains.
The depression is moving toward the west-northwest at a 8 mph and is about 370 miles east of Port O’Connor, Texas. It has maximum sustained winds at or near 35 mph with higher gusts.
Forecasters say No. Eight is getting better organized over the Gulf and some slow strengthening is expected. The depression could become a tropical storm Friday morning, the forcast shows.
While the system is not a threat to Florida, forecasters with the National Weather Service says South Florida might still experience some slight showers and storms because of moisture associated with the system. Another tropical wave is also expected to cause more rain in the region during the weekend.
The forecast shows the depression strengthening into a tropical storm sometime Friday as it moves across the northwestern Gulf of Mexico and is expected to make landfall along the Texan coast Saturday. It is then expected to weaken back into a depression by early next week over southwest Texas.
Tropical Storm Warnings and Watches
A tropical storm warning was issued for much of the Texas coast from Port Mansfield to San Luis Pass. The hurricane center says the area might begin to experience tropical storm-like conditions, including winds by late Friday.
“Interests elsewhere along the Texas and Louisiana coast should monitor the progress of this system,” according to the hurricane center.
A tropical storm watch has been issued for San Luis Pass to High Island in Galveston County.
Forecasters say these rains may result in flash flooding across the west-central Gulf Coast into portions of south Texas.
The storm is forecast to produce 3 to 5 inches of rain, with isolated maximum totals of 10 inches along the Gulf Coast from Louisiana to the lower Texas coast and inland through south-central Texas and the Rio Grande Valley. Flash flooding along the west-central Gulf Coast into portions of South Texas and an increase of swells along the Texas and Louisiana coasts is also expected, forecasters said.
If the depression does strengthen into Tropical Storm Hanna, it would be the eighth storm of the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season and the second to form this week.
Tropical Storm Gonzalo formed in the Atlantic Wednesday and is forecast to become a Category 1 hurricane sometime Saturday as it moves west toward the southern Windward Islands.
This story was originally published July 21, 2020 at 12:31 PM.
