Tropical Storm Alberto formed in the western Gulf of Mexico late Wednesday morning, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Alberto has wind speeds of 65 km/h and is located about 475 km from Brownsville, Texas.
Alberto is the first named storm of what will likely become a hyperactive hurricane season in the Atlantic Ocean.
Alberto arrives basically according to the planned schedule. On average, the first tropical storm forms in the Atlantic Ocean on June 20, according to the National Weather Service.
Alberto is expected to move slowly westward this afternoon and approach the northeastern coast of Mexico overnight, but is already hitting the Texas coast with tropical storm-force winds, heavy rains, and storm surge.
It will likely make landfall in Mexico overnight, increasing the risk for those in the immediate impact area.
Alberto will produce rainfall totals of 12 to 24 cm across northeastern Mexico into southern Texas.
Highs could reach 38cm by Thursday.
These rains are likely to cause flash floods and urban flooding, as well as new river floods. Landslides are also possible in higher elevations in northeastern Mexico.
Heavy rain will continue even as Mexico’s mountainous terrain breaks through a storm cycle and loses tropical storm status Thursday afternoon.
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