Potential Tropical Cyclone Six May Hit U.S. Gulf Coast as Tropical Storm or Hurricane

A disturbance in the Gulf of Mexico is expected to strengthen into tropical storm conditions on Monday and may even develop into a hurricane before reaching the U.S. Gulf Coast by midweek. Currently named Potential Tropical Cyclone Six, the storm is situated about 300 miles south-southeast of the mouth of the Rio Grande, moving in a north-northwest direction. According to an early Monday advisory from the National Hurricane Center, the storm is predicted to move offshore in the northern Gulf of Mexico through Tuesday and approach the Louisiana and upper Texas coastline by Wednesday.

Potential Tropical Cyclone

Tropical storm watches are already in place for northeastern Mexico and southern Texas. The National Hurricane Center has warned that Potential Tropical Cyclone Six is likely to bring heavy rainfall and trigger flash flooding along the coast of northeast Mexico, southern Texas, southern Louisiana, and southern Mississippi into Thursday morning. While it is still early to predict the exact point of impact, the potential for life-threatening storm surge and damaging winds "are increasing for portions of the Louisiana and Upper Texas coastlines beginning Tuesday night," according to the weather service.

2024 Atlantic Storm Season

This 2024 Atlantic storm season, which commenced in June and will conclude on November 30, has already seen five named storms, three of which have escalated into hurricanes. The hurricane center noted that August's tropical cyclone activity "was a little below normal" in terms of the number of named storms. Debby made landfall in the Big Bend region of Florida as a Category 1 hurricane before moving offshore and striking South Carolina again as a tropical storm in early August. Meanwhile, Ernesto achieved Category 1 hurricane status while passing over Bermuda in mid-August.

NOAA's Prediction and Implications

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) had anticipated above-normal hurricane activity in the Atlantic basin this year. They forecasted a range of 17 to 25 total named storms, of which eight to 13 were expected to become hurricanes. This projection was based on near-record warm ocean temperatures in the Atlantic, La Niña conditions in the Pacific, reduced Atlantic trade winds, and decreased wind shear.

Potential for the Next Storm

The next storm on the horizon will be named Francine. As the situation develops, residents along the Gulf Coast and neighboring areas are urged to stay updated through official channels and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety.