Tropical Storm Arthur developed near the coast of Texas on Wednesday morning. At 12:30 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Arthur was located at latitude 28.8°N and longitude 95.5°W which put the center about 40 miles (65 km) southwest of Galveston, Texas. Arthur was moving toward the northeast at 9 m.p.h. (15 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 999 mb.
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Sargent, Texas to Morgan City Louisiana.
A low pressure system near the coast of Texas, formerly called Potential Tropical Cyclone One, strengthened on Wednesday morning and the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Arthur.
The strongest winds were occurring in bands in the eastern and northern sides of Tropical Storm Arthur.
A weather station in Galveston, Texas, (KGLS) reported a sustained wind speed of 39 m.p.h. (63 km/h) and a wind gust of 59 m.p.h. (95 km/h).
NOAA buoy 42035 which is east of Galveston, Texas reported a sustained wind speed of 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h) and a wind gust of 52 m.p.h. (83 km/h).
A weather station on oil platform Galveston 209A (KGVW) reported a sustained wind speed of 70 m.p.h. (113 km/h) and a wind gust of 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h). It should be noted that the weather station is 121 feet (37 meters) above sea level.
The distribution of thunderstorms in Tropical Storm Arthur was asymmetrical. Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the eastern and northern parts of Arthur’s circulation. Bands in the western and southern parts of Tropical Storm Arthur consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.
The surface center of Tropical Storm Arthur appeared to be east of a low in the middle troposphere based on visible satellite loops. The middle level low was producing southwesterly winds that were blowing toward the top of Arthur’s circulation. Those winds were causing strong vertical wind shear. The vertical wind shear was causing the asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms.
The strongest winds were occurring in the bands of thunderstorms in the eastern and northern parts of Tropical Storm Arthur. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 175 miles (280 km) in the eastern half of Arthur’s circulation. Winds in the western half of Tropical Storm Arthur were blowing at less than tropical storm force.
Tropical Storm 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, Arthur will move inland near the border between Texas and Louisiana in a few hours.
Tropical Storm Arthur will move through an environment that will be marginally favorable for intensification during the next few hours. Arthur will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C. It will move under the southern part of an upper level trough that is over the central U.S. The upper level trough will produce westerly winds that will blow toward the top of Arthur’s circulation. Those winds will cause strong vertical wind shear. The vertical wind shear will inhibit development, but the wind shear may not be enough to prevent some intensification. Tropical Storm Arthur could intensify during the next few hours before it makes landfall in Louisiana.
Tropical Storm Arthur will bring gusty winds and heavy rain to parts of the southeastern U.S. Heavy rain is likely to 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.
Tropical Storm Arthur could also cause a storm surge of up to 4 feet (1 meter) along the coast of Louisiana.
