Alberto, the first named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, is expected to make landfall in northern Mexico on Thursday.
Tropical Storm Alberto, the first named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, formed over the Western Gulf of Mexico, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said.
The storm was located about 300 kilometers east of Tampico, Mexico, with maximum sustained winds of 65 kph (40 mph), Miami’s meteorologist said Wednesday.
Alberto, which is bringing strong winds, heavy rain and some flooding along the Texas and Mexican coasts, is expected to hit northern Mexico on Thursday.
“Heavy rain and water, as always, is the biggest story in tropical storms,” said Michael Brennan, director of the NHC.
Brennan said winds could reach 45 mph (72 kph) to 50 mph (80 kph) before the storm makes landfall.
Rainfall of 5 to 10 inches was expected in some areas along the Texas coast, with even higher isolated totals possible, Brennan said.
He said some higher locations in Mexico could see up to 50 cm of rain, which could result in landslides and flash floods, especially in the states of Tamaulipas, Coahuila and Nuevo Leon.
The storm was moving west at 15 km/h (9 miles per hour). Tropical storm warnings were in effect for the Texas coast from San Luis Pass south to the mouth of the Rio Grande, and on the northeast coast of Mexico south of the mouth of the Rio Grande to Tecolutla.
“Rapid weakening is expected as the center moves inland and Alberto will likely dissipate over Mexico” on Thursday, the NHC said.
The U.S. National Weather Service (NWS) said the main danger for the south Texas coast is flooding from excess rain. On Wednesday, the NWS said, there is “a high probability” of flash flooding on the south Texas coast. Tornadoes or waterspouts are possible.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts that the hurricane season, which began June 1 and runs through Nov. 30, will likely be well above average, with between 17 and 25 named storms. The forecast calls for up to 13 hurricanes and four major hurricanes.
An average Atlantic hurricane season produces 14 named storms, seven of them hurricanes and three major hurricanes.
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