When will Tropical Storm Arthur form in the Gulf? See storm tracker
The Gulf Coast is bracing for the arrival of Tropical Storm Arthur, which is predicted to be the first potential storm of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season.
The National Hurricane Center said in an early morning statement. June 17 recommendation Potential Tropical Cyclone One is located approximately 35 miles southwest of Port O’Connor, Texas, with maximum sustained winds near 30 mph, with higher winds.
The storm is expected to move northeastward along the Texas coast on Wednesday and then move inland through southwestern Louisiana on Wednesday night, June 17, forecasters said. The hurricane is expected to strengthen into Tropical Storm Arthur on Wednesday morning and begin weakening as it moves inland. The NHC said the storm could dissipate Wednesday night or Thursday morning, June 18.
The hurricane center said a tropical storm warning is in effect along the Louisiana coast from Sabine Pass to Morgan City due to the storm’s approach. This means tropical storm conditions are expected in the next 24 hours.
A tropical storm watch is also in effect for the northwestern Gulf Coast from Sargent, Texas, to Morgan City, Louisiana. This means tropical storm conditions are possible in the observation area in the next 24 to 36 hours.
More news: Hurricane forecast says US should prepare for first Atlantic storm
Potential Tropical Cyclone Single tracker
This forecast track shows the most likely path to the center of the storm. It does not show the full width of the storm or its effects, and the center of the storm is likely to move outside the cone up to 33% of the time.
Potential Tropical Cyclone One spaghetti models
Illustrations include a range of estimators and models, and not all are created equal. The hurricane center uses only the top four or five top-performing models to help make its forecasts.
Gulf Coast braces for inches of rain
The storm is expected to produce rainfall totals of 5 to 10 inches from the east-northeast Central and Upper Texas coasts to southern and central parts of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama through early Friday morning, according to the hurricane center; isolated higher totals are around 20 inches.
Forecasters said heavy rains could also occur in western Georgia and the Florida Panhandle, and dangerous and life-threatening flash floods were possible.
Forecasters said a dangerous combination of storm surge and tide would cause normally dry areas near the coast to be inundated by rising waters moving inland from the coastline, with the deepest water occurring along the nearshore and east of the landfall location, where the surge would be accompanied by large and dangerous waves.
The NHC said waves generated by the storm could cause life-threatening waves and disruption of existing conditions along the northwestern Gulf Coast over the next several days. A few tornadoes are also possible from the Upper Texas coast to southern Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and the western Florida Panhandle through Thursday.
National Weather Service office in New Orleans He said heavy rains were expected on Wednesday night and especially on Thursday morning, bringing with them the possibility of life-threatening flooding. Forecast office in Houston A flood watch is in effect for Southeast Texas through Wednesday evening and “there is increased danger to life and property due to flash flooding,” he said.
Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter for USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@usatodayco.com.
This article first appeared on USA TODAY: Tropical Storm Arthur may form. See path tracker, spaghetti models
