A disorganized weather system lurking in the western Gulf of Mexico may become the Atlantic hurricane season’s first named storm before the day is out, forecasters said Tuesday.
Potential Tropical Cyclone One could develop into Tropical Storm Arthur sometime this afternoon, which would mark an unusually early start to the season. June is typically a slow month for tropical development, with a named storm forming only once every two years.
Regardless of whether the system officially strengthens, heavy rainfall is expected across southern Texas and into the Gulf Coast states, with an additional five inches of rain possible across the region.
A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for the southwestern Louisiana coast, while a Tropical Storm Watch is in place for portions of the Upper Texas coast.
Forecasters noted that spaghetti models — which plot multiple computer forecast tracks together — show the system’s projected path but do not capture storm intensity, storm surge, or flood potential.
Colorado State University has called for slightly below-normal hurricane activity overall in the 2026 Atlantic season.
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