Hurricane Alex

Tropical Storm Alex is forecast to become a hurricane within the next few hours. Here is what the National Hurricane Center has to say about it. You can also click on the image at left for a satellite animation.

DISCUSSION AND 48-HOUR OUTLOOK

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AT 100 PM CDT…1800 UTC…THE CENTER OF TROPICAL STORM ALEX WAS LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 22.9 NORTH…LONGITUDE 93.6 WEST. ALEX IS NOW MOVING TOWARD THE NORTHWEST NEAR 13 MPH…21 KM/HR. A GRADUAL TURN TOWARD THE WEST-NORTHWEST IS EXPECTED ON WEDNESDAY. ON THE FORECAST TRACK…THE CENTER OF ALEX WILL APPROACH THE COAST OF NORTHEASTERN MEXICO AND SOUTHERN TEXAS ON WEDNESDAY AND MAKE LANDFALL WEDNESDAY NIGHT. MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 70 MPH…110 KM/HR…WITH HIGHER GUSTS. STRENGTHENING IS FORECAST DURING THE NEXT 36 HR OR SO BEFORE LANDFALL…AND ALEX IS LIKELY TO BECOME A HURRICANE LATER TODAY. TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 140 MILES…220 KM FROM THE CENTER. NOAA BUOY 42055…LOCATED ABOUT 65 MILES SOUTHWEST OF THE CENTER…RECENTLY REPORTED 1-MINUTE MEAN WINDS OF 38 MPH… 61 KM/HR…AND A WIND GUST OF 45 MPH…72 KM/HR. THE MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE REPORTED BY AN AIR FORCE RESERVE HURRICANE HUNTER AIRCRAFT IS 981 MB…28.97 INCHES.

The storm surge forecast is showing heights ranging anywhere from 3 ft to 6 ft as the hurricane moves in over southern Tx/Mexico. This is not a good thing because of how close to sea level most of the gulf is. If you are at 3 ft or below, I would recommend taking some precaution before this storm moves in. At one point this hurricane was forecast to reach Category 2 strength, but the latest observations indicate that it will remain a Category 1 hurricane until it makes landfall, where it will weaken. Again, the center will make landfall on the Tx/Mex border, but the rest of the storm will impact the majority of the gulf. Take action as needed, but thankfully this wont be too serious. However, please take local National Weather Service advisories seriously. Be safe.