Developing Tropical Disturbance May Bring Some Relief in Some Drought- Stricken Areas

Meteorologists advise that people along the Gulf Coast should be prepared for flooding rains as a tropical rainfall strengthens and approaches this week.

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Tropical System On the Way

A tropical rainfall traveling toward the Caribbean is on the edge of becoming a named tropical storm. Still, meteorologists are also monitoring another tropical downpour in the northern Gulf of Mexico that might grow.

While organization and development into a tropical depression or named storm is possible at any moment through Thursday, downpours are forecast to overspread most of the western and central Gulf Coast. This rain may trigger localized flash floods, but it will also provide much-needed drought relief.

AccuWeather has classified this disturbance as a tropical rainstorm, which is expected to move westward into Texas until the end of the week. Although it is moving west, rainfall linked with the system may cause downpours in Louisiana and Arkansas later this week.

According to satellite photographs from Tuesday afternoon, the tropical rainfall was getting more structured. Forecasters warn that even an unidentified system may have significant repercussions on land in the form of heavy rain.

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Weather Mix Up

Tropical moisture will mix with a stalled front as it moves onto the coast, delivering rounds of severe downpours this week. While the greatest rain will likely fall on the Texas coast as the monsoon advances inland Thursday, heavy rain could fall as far east as Georgia and the Florida Panhandle.

"There will be enough moisture available and low wind shear, which when paired with the stalled front along the Gulf Coast creates the perfect formula for areas of hefty rainfall," Meteorologist Matt Benz noted.

The Gulf of Mexico's waters is already warm enough to encourage future tropical development and intensification. While the transformation from a tropical rainstorm to a tropical depression or named storm is far from certain, it cannot be ruled out.

Tropical consequences in the Texas region near the Gulf include floods, coastal wind gusts, and heavy surf.

Warm seas, low wind shear, and moist air contribute to tropical growth. However, in this situation, many things are also working against it.

"As the disturbance travels closer to land, the window for development narrows," Benz said. "As the system approaches into the western Gulf of Mexico, some dry air and increased wind shear may be present, which might limit development."

Flood Risk

Flooding rain is possible until the second half of the week, regardless of whether the tropical downpour develops into a designated tropical storm. Multiple rounds of rain and thunderstorms may travel over the same areas simultaneously, causing rainfall totals to climb rapidly.

While such totals may appear acceptable at first, repeated bouts of rain can lead to flooding difficulties in a process known as "training." Motorists experiencing flooded roadways are warned that floods can be considerably deeper than they look.

Regardless of the flood risk, rain is much needed in Louisiana and coastal Texas. According to the United States Drought Monitor, nearly all of this coastline is experiencing drought, with several sections falling into the "severe" drought category. Drought Watch.

Drought affects cities such as San Antonio and Houston, Texas, and Lake Charles, Louisiana. While a single event will not end a drought, it will be a start in the right direction.

Whatever happens with this tropical rainfall will serve as a reminder that the Atlantic hurricane season has already begun. experts continue to expect an above-average season in terms of named storms and landfall in the United States.

Fourth of July Forecast

Tropical Storm Alex, tracking near Florida at the beginning of June, is already in the books. Another system was built in the southern Caribbean along South America's coast. Bonnie and Colin will be the names of the next two tropical storms.

People wishing for a reprieve from the weather for the Fourth of July holiday will be in luck. By the weekend, a large area of high pressure will form over the region, pushing the stalled front eastward and eliminating the rainfall danger. While isolated afternoon storms are still possible, they will be far less severe than expected heavy rain in the coming days.

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