Weather News

Shower & thunderstorm chances across parts of SE TX remain in the forecast through Thursday. For temperatures, expect little change in the area’s recent warm trend for both highs and lows (so far, today’s morning low in Galveston has been 86 degrees!). #txwx #houwx #glswx #bcswx

The heat is back. Hot conditions are expected today with highs from the mid to upper 90s. Heat index in the triple digits are expected this afternoon. Isolated showers and storms will be possible in the afternoon through early evening.
Stay cool and hydrated!

Tropical Storm Ida is forecast to cross Cuba then rapidly intensify as it crosses the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico; may become a major hurricane (Category 3 or higher) before making landfall Sunday afternoon or evening along S Central Louisiana Coast.

Impacts for SE Texas will be mainly at the beaches, coast: increased surf and swell starting Sunday, minor coastal flooding around times of high tide.

Increasing winds especially over eastern areas (Chambers, Liberty, Bolivar Peninsula). Gusts to TS force possible there (about 20 to 30 pct chance) depending on ultimate size and track of storm.

Bottom Line

Confidence is high that Ida will make landfall along the Louisiana coastline late Sunday (likely as a Major Hurricane), so impacts to Southeast Texas are expected to be limited to minimal marine hazards.

Overview

Tropical Storm Ida is moving through the Caribbean and is expected to make landfall in western Cuba later today. It will then track northwest through the Gulf of Mexico through the weekend. Conditions are very favorable to further strengthening of Ida, and is expected to become a Hurricane by Saturday afternoon in the southern Gulf, and then into a Major Hurricane before making landfall likely along the Louisiana coastline late Sunday. Since Ida will be tracking east of our region, we are expecting minimal impacts confined to the coastal waters.

Impacts include:

• Strong rip currents along Gulf facing beaches as early as Sunday afternoon and continuing through Monday
• Elevated tides of 2.8 to 3.5ft above MLLW during times of high tide Sunday and Sunday night.
• Wave heights of 6 to 9 ft Sunday afternoon through Monday morning
• Sustained winds of 15 to 20 kts with gusts up to 25 kts are possible across the offshore waters starting Sunday evening with improving conditions on Monday.

@NHC_Atlantic is currently monitoring Tropical Depression 9. There is still uncertainty in the exact path or potential impacts to @GalvCoTx as the system is just forming. Review your plans and visit http://GCOEM.org for up to date information and preparedness tips.