Gulf updraft could spark this season’s first tropical storm

The National Hurricane Center says a broad low-pressure system moving from south Texas toward the northwestern Gulf of Mexico could become the season’s first tropical storm, potentially named Arthur, with marginal conditions allowing short-lived development late today or Wednesday. Regardless of formation, residents of southern/eastern Texas and parts of Louisiana and Mississippi should prepare for heavy rainfall and possible life-threatening flooding, along with gusty winds and coastal flooding along the Gulf Coast. The NHC assigns about a 60% chance of development in the next two to seven days, and the Atlantic hurricane season—which begins June 1 and is expected to be below normal (8–14 named storms, 3–6 hurricanes, 1–3 major)—remains in the monitoring phase with updates every six hours.