Former Tropical Storm Arthur weakened on Wednesday evening as it moved along the coast near Galveston, Texas.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Depression Arthur was located at latitude 29.7°N and longitude 94.5°W which put the center about 35 miles (55 km) north-northeast of Galveston, Texas.  Arthur was moving toward the northeast at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 35 m.p.h. (55 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1000 mb.

An upper level trough over the central U.S. was producing westerly winds that were blowing across the top of Tropical Depression Arthur on Wednesday evening.  The upper level winds blew the tops off of many of the thunderstorms in Arthur.  A few thunderstorms were still occurring in bands in the eastern periphery of Arthur’s circulation.  The other bands revolving around the center of Arthur consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

Tropical Depression Arthur will move around the northwestern side of a high pressure system that extends from the western Atlantic Ocean to over the Gulf of Mexico.  The high pressure system will steer Arthur toward the northeast during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Depression Arthur will move near the border between Texas and Louisiana on Thursday.  Arthur will start to move toward the east by Friday.

Tropical Depression Arthur could interact with a stationary front to drop heavy rain over parts of the Southeast U.S.  Heavy rain could cause floods in some locations.

Flood Watches are in effect for southeast Texas, most of Louisiana, the southern half of Mississippi, central Alabama, Northwest Florida, and northern Georgia.