The Atlantic hurricane season has seen its first tropical system strengthen in the Gulf of Mexico, with forecasters warning it could soon become Tropical Storm Arthur.
The National Hurricane Center has upgraded the disturbance to Potential Tropical Cyclone One, which is located about 65 miles southwest of Corpus Christi, Texas, with sustained winds near 30 mph.
Forecasters say the storm has a small window to strengthen over the warm Gulf waters before moving inland, with the possibility of becoming Tropical Storm Arthur as early as Wednesday.
Heavy rainfall remains the biggest concern, with widespread totals of 4 to 8 inches possible from Texas through Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, and isolated areas potentially seeing up to 12 inches of rain.
A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued from Sargent, Texas, to Morgan City, Louisiana, where tropical storm conditions could begin within the next 24 to 36 hours.
Forecasters also warned of possible storm surge between 2 and 4 feet along parts of the Texas and Louisiana coastlines, along with rough surf and tornado risks across portions of the Gulf Coast.
