This GOES-19 GeoColor satellite image provided by NOAA, shows a storm system forming along the Gulf coast of Texas, on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. Credit: NOAA via AP
The first tropical storm of the Atlantic hurricane season formed Wednesday near the Gulf Coast, bringing intense rain and the threat of dangerous flash floods to states including Texas and Louisiana, meteorologists said.
Tropical Storm Arthur was a disorganized cluster of storms that brought rain for days over parts of eastern Mexico and the Gulf. The National Hurricane Center in Miami said conditions were conducive for a short-lived tropical storm to form.
The center of Tropical Storm Arthur was located Wednesday morning about 40 miles (65 kilometers) east-northeast of Port O'Connor, Texas, according to an advisory. The storm was moving northeast near 9 mph (15 kph), and an increase in forward speed was expected.
Arthur had maximum sustained winds of 40 mph. Little change in strength is expected before the center moves over land, forecasters said. Weakening is anticipated once it moves inland, and it could dissipate by Wednesday night or early Thursday.
Arthur was not expected to gain much wind strength as the center of the storm moved over land. But forecasters said that doesn't mean the system will be weak. Life-threatening flash flooding and urban flooding were the main threats as Arthur skirted the Gulf Coast. The hurricane center said in its key messages that flooding was likely through Friday over parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and the Florida Panhandle.
This GOES-19 GeoColor satellite image provided by NOAA shows Tropical Storm Arthur along the Gulf coast of Texas, on Wednesday, June 17, 2026. (NOAA via AP)
"Prolonged rainfall may extend the flood threat into the weekend," National Hurricane Center director Michael Brennan said Tuesday.
Tropical Storm Arthur is expected to produce rainfall totals of 5-10 inches (13-25 centimeters), with isolated higher totals near 20 inches (50 centimeters). This could generate dangerous flash flooding. The combination of storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline.
Swells generated by Arthur are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions along the northwestern Gulf Coast for the next couple of days. Tornadoes are possible through Thursday.
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Tropical Storm Arthur, the first of the Atlantic season, targets Gulf Coast with heavy rain (2026, June 17)
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