The National Hurricane Center (NHC) issued a tropical storm warning Monday for parts of the upper Texas and southwestern Louisiana coasts as Tropical Depression Five approaches the area. A storm surge watch has also been issued for a portion of the northwestern Gulf Coast.
“Strengthening is expected, and the depression is likely to become a tropical storm this evening,” forecasters said Monday afternoon, adding that the system would reach the warning area by Tuesday morning.
Meanwhile, several storms continue to brew in the Pacific during an El Niño that’s expected to become one of the strongest on record. As of Monday morning, one hurricane, one tropical storm and a disturbance with a high chance of formation were churning in the Pacific. Currently, none pose a direct threat to land.
Where exactly is the tropical depression, and what is its path?
According to the hurricane center’s latest advisory, as of 5 p.m. ET on Monday:
Tropical Depression Five was located about 105 miles south of Morgan City, La.
It had maximum sustained winds of 35 mph.
It was moving west-northwest at 6 mph.
“On the forecast track, the center of the system is predicted to reach the northwestern Gulf Coast within the warning area on Tuesday and move inland over southeast Texas on Tuesday night,” the NHC advisory said.
Watches and warnings in effect
A tropical storm warning is in effect for:
Port Bolivar, Texas, to the Vermilion/Iberia Parish Line in Louisiana
A tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected in the area within the next 24 to 36 hours, according to the NHC.
A storm surge watch is in effect for:
High Island to the Vermilion/Cameron Parish Line
“A Storm Surge Watch means there is a possibility of life-threatening inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline, in the indicated locations during the next 48 hours,” the NHC says.
The biggest threats now
Tropical storm winds are expected to reach the warning area by Tuesday, making outside storm preparations difficult or dangerous.
The combination of storm surge and the tide is expected to flood typically dry areas near the coast as rising waters move inland, according to the NHC. High Island, Texas, to the Vermilion/Cameron Parish Line, La., could see 2 to 4 feet of storm surge. The Vermilion/Cameron Parish Line, La., to Morgan City, La., could see 1 to 3 feet.
Heavy rain from Tropical Depression Five is likely to cause flash flooding, especially in low-lying and urban areas. The storm could produce rainfall totals of 3 to 6 inches, with a maximum of 9 inches in some areas, for parts of the upper Texas coast inland through east-central Texas, the NHC said Monday. In far southwest Louisiana, 2 to 3 inches of rain is possible.
What’s happening in the Pacific?
Disturbances and storm systems in the Pacific on Aug. 31, 2026.
(NOAA)Hurricane Karina, a Category 4 storm, is moving west about 1,055 miles west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California, with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph. There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect, but swells generated by Karina will affect portions of the southwest coast of Mexico and the Baja California peninsula.
Tropical Storm Lowell was located about 785 miles southeast of Hilo, Hawaii, moving west with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph. There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect. By midweek, swells generated by the storm are forecast to affect portions of the Hawaiian Islands.
A third system is located several hundred miles south-southwest of the coast of southwestern Mexico and could form into a tropical depression or tropical storm by Monday night, according to the NHC.
