Tropical system could be hurricane by Wednesday, headed toward Louisiana and Texas

A tropical system in the Gulf of Mexico is expected to develop into a low-end Category 1 hurricane by Wednesday, with potential landfall on the Upper Texas or southwestern Louisiana coasts. The National Hurricane Center has given a 90% chance of tropical storm formation within 48 hours, prompting the issuance of a tropical storm watch for Southern Texas and parts of the Mexican coast. The system, currently located in the southeastern Gulf, is moving slowly towards the north-northwest with sustained winds of 50 mph. It is expected to become a tropical storm on Monday, with conditions possible within the watch area. If it develops further, it will be named Francine, the sixth named storm of the 2024 season.

The storm is forecast to bring significant rainfall, with 4-8 inches expected along the coast and up to 12 inches in some areas, increasing the risk of flash flooding. The system is predicted to accelerate towards the northeast by late Tuesday, influenced by a cold front, and could make landfall on Wednesday. Meteorologists have not ruled out the possibility of the storm becoming a Category 2 hurricane. The biggest concern for residents in the affected areas is flooding due to the expected heavy rainfall. The track of the storm has shifted slightly eastward and could continue to do so, affecting the potential landfall location.