Tropical Storm Alberto brought wind and rain to northern Mexico on Thursday morning. At 8:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Alberto was located at latitude 22.3°N and longitude 98.3°W which put it about 25 miles (40 km) west of Tampico, Mexico and about 255 miles (410 km) south of Brownsville, Texas. Alberto was moving toward the west at 13 m.p.h. (20 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 997 mb.
A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from the Mouth of the Rio Grande River to Tecolutla, Mexico. The Tropical Storm Warning included Tampico, Mexico.
The center of Tropical Storm Alberto made landfall on the coast of Mexico near Tampico on Thursday morning. The strongest winds were occurring near the center of Alberto’s circulation. The distribution of winds in Tropical Storm Alberto was still asymmetrical at the time of landfall. The circulation around the northern side of Alberto’s circulation was interacting with the southern part of a strong high pressure system over the eastern U.S. The interaction of the two pressure systems was causing a large area of tropical storm force winds in the northern side of Tropical Storm Alberto. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 275 miles (445 km) in the northern side of Alberto’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) in the southern half of Alberto.
Tropical Storm Alberto will move around the southern side of a strong high pressure system over the eastern U.S. The high pressure system will steer Alberto toward the west during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Alberto will move steadily inland over northern Mexico.
Tropical Storm Alberto will weaken as it moves farther inland over northern Mexico. Alberto will continue to produce gusty winds along the coast of Texas and northern Mexico during the next few hours. Tropical Storm Alberto will also drop heavy rain on parts of northern Mexico and southern Texas. Up to an additional 5 inches (125 mm) of rain could fall on parts of south Texas. Flood Watches are in effect for parts of South Texas. Up to an additional 16 inches (400 mm) of rain could fall on parts of northern Mexico where the winds blow the air up the slopes of mountains. Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations. The heaviest rain is likely to fall in Tamaulipas.