It looks like Mother Nature is giving a whole new meaning to the age-old expression of “when it rains, it pours.”
At least, that seems to be the latest news on Sunday, July 19, as hurricane experts now track Tropical Depression Two in the eastern Gulf. The tropical depression is expected to bring heavy rain and gusty winds to much of the Gulf Coast through this week and will likely become Tropical Storm Bertha by tonight or Monday, July 20.
According to AccuWeather, tropical storm-force winds could arrive in coastal waters in Texas as early as Wednesday, July 22. By Thursday, July 23, both rain and thunderstorms chances will increase substantially across the Lone Star State. But mostly in the southeast portion of the state.
“If heavy rain shifts farther west into the Texas Hill Country, there will be an elevated concern for flash flooding given the terrain and recent significant flooding that occurred across the region,” senior meteorologist Renee Duff for AccuWeather said online.
Along with the risk of flooding, the tropical depression will generate wind gusts up to 60 mph into southeastern Texas. Forecasters online have so far emphasized the uncertainty regarding the storm’s exact track. As one Texas meteorologist said, “there will be a lot to monitor this week.”
“Suffice it to say that we are in a very precarious position after last week’s rain,” CBS Austin morning meteorologist Avery Tomasco wrote online. “A tropical system coming to Texas deserves everyone’s perpetual attention.”
San Antonio meteorologists Chris Suchan also hinted at the uncertainty around the tropical depression’s track and strength. As he puts it, “land interaction will be a key variable.”
“If it stays far enough off the coast, could become a hurricane,” Suchan said on Facebook. “It will also eventually battle wind shear & drier air later this week.”
As forecasters continue to try and track the storm’s path and final intensity, Hurricane Hunter aircraft are now flying into the system to gather critical atmospheric data. According to FOX 26 Houston, the observations will provide a better picture of the potential wind, storm surge, and severe weather threats facing Texas.
Texans along the upper Texas coast are now advising being advised by state and local emergency management agencies to closely monitor the tropical depression’s progress here as new data arrives in the coming days.
This article originally published at Texas meteorologists offer brief explanations on ‘Tropical Depression Two’.