Tropical Depression Twenty Two strengthened into Tropical Storm Beta yesterday. As of the 10 AM CDT advisory maximum sustained winds were 60 mph, pressure was 994 mb, and movement was northwest at 3 mph.
Forecast for Beta
Beta will move very slowly west to west-northwest over the next day or two as a mid-level ridge (high pressure) builds in. A landfall in Texas Monday is possible before a trough turns the system northeast to east-northeast.
It is expected Beta will become a hurricane. However, a combination of wind shear and dry air could prevent much intensification.
Impacts
Beta will bring heavy rainfall and possible flash flooding to the western Gulf Coast tomorrow through early next week, and possibly hurricane-force winds to a portion of the northwest Gulf Coast Monday or Tuesday.
Beta will also produce a storm surge along the Texas and Louisiana coasts.
Watch/Warning Summary
A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for…
* Port Mansfield, TX to Cameron, LA including Baffin Bay, Corpus
Christi Bay, Copano Bay, Aransas Bay, San Antonio Bay, Matagorda
Bay, Galveston Bay, Sabine Lake and Calcasieu Lake
A Hurricane Watch is in effect for…
* Port Aransas Texas to High Island Texas
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for…
* Port Aransas Texas to Intracoastal City Louisiana
A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for…
* South of Port Aransas Texas to the Mouth of the Rio Grande
* East of Intracoastal City Louisiana to Morgan City Louisiana
