Tropical system developing in the Gulf of Mexico
Monitoring an area of disturbed weather over the western Gulf of Mexico for possible tropical development Friday. This area of disturbed weather has gradually experienced a drop in pressure with increasing shower and thunderstorm coverage throughout Thursday into Friday. With the slow organization of this area of low pressure, recent model guidance continues to indicate the possibility of this developing into a low-end tropical system late-Friday.
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The environmental conditions do favor the possibility of tropical development. Atmospheric wind shear is minimal over the western Gulf of Mexico along with warm water temperatures. The Gulf of Mexico water temperatures have continued to warm through May and are now in the upper-70s & lower-80s. This would support tropical development.
The National Hurricane Center is monitoring this area of low pressure over the western Gulf of Mexico and has increased the chance for tropical development to 40% Friday.
A building upper-level high over the Southeast will help steer this low pressure north Friday, spreading deep moisture and heavy rain into southeastern and coastal Texas as well as coastal Louisiana. These areas have already received excessive rainfall amounts over the past week so heavy rain will increase the flood threat. The intensifying low pressure would act to increase the tornado potential along the upper-Texas coast late-Friday.
Regardless of tropical development, the low pressure will spread heavy rain into southeastern and coastal Texas and coastal Louisiana Friday. If the low pressure gains tropical characteristics, it would likely remain weak–becoming a Tropical Depression or weak Tropical Storm, making landfall late-Friday along the upper-Texas coast. The 2021 Atlantic Hurricane Season begins June 1st.