Tropical Storm Alberto formed over the western Gulf of Mexico Wednesday, becoming the first named storm of the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season.
Alberto had maximum sustained winds of 50 mph as it moved west at 9 mph about 320 miles south-southeast of Brownsville, Texas, according to the latest update from the National Hurricane Center in Miami.
It was possible that Alberto could bring heavy rains, coastal flooding and gusty winds to parts of Texas and northeastern Mexico through Tuesday, the NHC said.
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A tropical storm warning was in effect for the Texas coast from San Luis Pass southward to the mouth of the
Rio Grande and for the northeastern coast of Mexico south of the mouth of the Rio Grande to Puerto de Altamira.
The NHC said Alberto is a large tropical storm, with tropical-storm-force winds extending outward up to 415 miles north of the center.
Some slight strengthening was forecast before the center of Alberto reaches land, but rapid weakening was expected once the center moves inland, and Alberto was likely to dissipate over Mexico Thursday or Thursday night.
Local
Forecasters are predicting an "above-normal" 2024 hurricane season, with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecasting 17-25 named storms, 8-13 hurricanes and 4-7 major hurricanes.
An average season consists of 14 named storms, 7 hurricanes and 3 major hurricanes.
The season officially began June 1 and runs through November 30.
