HOUSTON – The National Hurricane Center (NHC) is currently tracking potential Tropical Cyclone Six in the Gulf of Mexico as millions of people along the U.S. Gulf Coast from Texas to Louisiana prepare for a potentially life-threatening hurricane this week.
Potential Tropical Cyclone Six, known as Invest 91L, is occurring just as we approach the peak of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, and right on schedule, there are several areas of concern this week that meteorologists are monitoring for their potential development.
“While it is too early to determine the exact location and extent of impacts, the risk of life-threatening storm surge and destructive winds increases across parts of coastal Louisiana and Upper Texas beginning Tuesday night,” the NHC said.
What’s new on potential Tropical Cyclone 6?
According to the NHC’s latest warning, potential Tropical Cyclone Six is located about 305 miles south-southeast of the mouth of the Rio Grande, or about 545 miles south of Cameron, Louisiana.
Where are watches and warnings in effect for possible Tropical Cyclone 6?
Due to the threat of potential Tropical Cyclone Six, a Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for extreme southern Texas from the mouth of the Rio Grande to Port Mansfield, Texas, and along the Mexican Gulf Coast from Barra del Tordo northward to the mouth of the Rio Grande.
Hurricane, tropical storm and storm surge warnings are expected to be required for parts of coastal Louisiana and Upper Texas later Monday, according to the NHC.
Where is potential Tropical Cyclone 6 heading?
The NHC said potential Tropical Cyclone Six is expected to pass just off the coast of Mexico’s northern Gulf Coast through Tuesday and then approach the coast of Louisiana and northern Texas on Wednesday.
Potential Tropical Cyclone Six is expected to strengthen into a tropical storm later Monday, with further intensification likely on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The system is forecast to develop into a hurricane before reaching the northwestern Gulf Coast of the United States.
The storm is expected to dump between 4 and 8 inches of rain, with up to 12 inches in some places, through Thursday morning. Precipitation will extend from the coast of far northeastern Mexico northward along parts of the southern Texas coast and across southern Louisiana and southern Mississippi.
This rainfall poses the risk of significant flash floods and urban flooding.
The NHC has released its flight plan for the next few days, which includes several flights to test the environment around potential Tropical Cyclone Six.
Once the storm system has a name, Hurricane Hunters will fly routinely throughout the day to determine the exact location of the storm center.
