Part of the Louisiana Gulf Coast is under a tropical storm watch after the National Hurricane Center upgrades the chances of a low pressure system that is hovering over Texas to become a tropical cyclone.
That tropical storm watch extends from Sargent, Texas, to Morgan City. The hurricane center says tropical storm conditions are possible within that area in the next 24 to 36 hours. The system is moving toward the northeast near six miles per hour, with forecasters expecting the storm's forward speed to increase over the next couple of days.
Forecasters say they chance of the system developing into a tropical storm is "medium" or "60 percent."
While the system is producing plentiful convection, it still lacks a well-defined center," NHC forecasters said in their first forecast discussion. "However, most of the guidance suggest that it will move offshore tonight, and winds will increase to tropical-storm-force on Wednesday."
Forecasters say maximum sustained winds associated with the system currently stand at 30 miles per hour with a minimum barometric pressure of 1007 millibars.
Meteorologists said even if the system failed to develop into a cyclone, it poses a major flood threat for Texas and Louisiana.
"Regardless of whether the system becomes a tropical cyclone, heavy rainfall and life-threatening flash flooding will be the primary hazards with this system," the forecast discussion said.
Hurricane Center say system has 60-percent chance of becoming a tropical cyclone
Hurricane Center say system has 60-percent chance of becoming a tropical cyclone
