Tropical Storm Beta began its turn to the Texas coast Saturday morning.
Beta is forecast to be a hurricane by the end of the weekend while approaching the Texas coast by Monday, though the National Hurricane Center admitted their intensity guidance was above other models and they may make further adjustments downward on intensity on Saturday.
Model guidance also suggests Beta could eventually be steered to the northeast after moving slightly inland, but questions remain on Beta's ultimate track due to weak steering currents in the region.
"The expected slow motion of Beta has the potential to produce a long duration rainfall event along the western Gulf Coast. The potentially prolonged period of rainfall could cause flash, urban, and river flooding, especially where tide levels are above normal," said the NHC.
SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:
A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for...
Port Mansfield, TX to Cameron, LA including Baffin Bay, Corpus Christi Bay, Copano Bay, Aransas Bay, San Antonio Bay, Matagorda Bay, Galveston Bay, Sabine Lake and Calcasieu Lake
A Hurricane Watch is in effect for...
Port Aransas Texas to High Island Texas
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for...
Port Aransas Texas to Intracoastal City Louisiana
A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for...
South of Port Aransas Texas to the Mouth of the Rio Grande
East of Intracoastal City Louisiana to Morgan City Louisiana
WIND: Tropical storm conditions are expected in the tropical storm warning area by late Sunday or Sunday night. Hurricane conditions are possible within the hurricane watch area by late Monday or Monday night. Tropical storm conditions are possible within the tropical storm watch area along the southwestern Louisiana coast as early as tonight. Tropical storm conditions are possible within the tropical storm watch area along the south Texas coast Sunday night.
RAINFALL: Beta has the potential to produce a long-lived rainfall event along the western Gulf Coast. Today through Tuesday, Beta is expected to produce rainfall accumulations of 3 to 5 inches with isolated totals of 10 inches beginning Saturday across southern Louisiana and spreading into coastal Texas on Sunday. Flash and urban flooding is likely as well as minor river flooding. Additional heavy rainfall amounts across the western Gulf Coast are possible through late week as Beta is expected to move slowly near the Texas coast.
Rainfall estimates from the Weather Prediction Center over the next 7 days:
SURF: Swells are expected to increase and reach the coast of Texas and the Gulf Coast of Mexico later today, generated by a combination of Beta and a cold front entering the northern Gulf of Mexico. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.