As Tropical Storm Edouard approached the Gulf Coast on Tuesday, forecasters warned that it was likely to bring heavy rain to parts of Texas and Louisiana when it moves over land throughout the day.
On its approach, meteorologists said Edouard could “significantly strengthen” to near hurricane strength before its expected landfall later on Tuesday. It is then forecast to quickly weaken.
Key Things to Know
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Tropical storm warnings were in place for parts of the Gulf Coast even before the storm grew strong enough for a name on Monday.
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A hurricane watch was also in effect for parts of the coast until late Tuesday afternoon. A hurricane watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the area.
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Forecasters were most concerned about how much rain would fall, but they also warned of life-threatening storm surge as water moves inland.
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Edouard is only the fifth named storm of this year’s Atlantic hurricane season, which has been quieter than normal because an El Niño weather pattern has thwarted most storms from developing.
Edouard is a small storm, but forecasters said the conditions in the Gulf of Mexico were favorable for it to grow stronger and more organized. Though it is expected to remain short of hurricane strength — which would require wind speeds if 74 m.p.h. — it could nevertheless bring hurricane-like conditions to some areas of the coast.
As of Tuesday, the main threat mirrors that of Tropical Storm Bertha from earlier this season. That storm brought extreme amounts of rain to Texas and Louisiana as it hugged the Gulf Coast, making landfall twice.
This week, Houston could receive a few inches of rain, with some areas nearby getting more, raising concerns of flash flooding. The amount of rain will depend on the storm’s path.
The latest forecast suggested that heavier rainfall totals of three to six inches will fall along parts of the Upper Texas Coast inland through east-central Texas — with some isolated areas potentially seeing totals up to nine inches.Southwest Louisiana would most likely receive two to four inches.
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