The National Hurricane Center has upgraded the tropical disturbance in the northwestern Gulf to Tropical Storm Arthur, as the system continues moving northeastward toward the Texas and Louisiana coasts. While Arthur is expected to weaken after moving inland, the storm poses a significant threat of heavy rainfall, flash flooding, and tropical storm-force winds across portions of the Gulf Coast and Southeast United States.
As of 10:00 a.m. CDT, the center of Tropical Storm Arthur was located near latitude 28.6 North and longitude 95.8 West, approximately 40 miles east-northeast of Port O’Connor, Texas, and about 190 miles west-southwest of Lake Charles, Louisiana. The storm is moving northeast at 9 mph and is expected to accelerate as it tracks along the Texas coast before moving inland over southwestern Louisiana later today.
Maximum sustained winds have increased to 40 mph with higher gusts, making Arthur the first named storm of the 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 175 miles from the center, impacting a broad area along the Gulf Coast.
Watches and Warnings
The National Hurricane Center has extended the Tropical Storm Warning westward and the following alerts are now in effect:
Tropical Storm Warning
- High Island, Texas to Morgan City, Louisiana
Tropical Storm Watch
- Sargent, Texas to High Island, Texas
A Tropical Storm Warning means tropical storm conditions are expected within the warning area within the next 12 hours. A Tropical Storm Watch means tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area within the next 12 hours.
Primary Threat: Dangerous Flash Flooding
The greatest concern with Tropical Storm Arthur is the potential for widespread, life-threatening flash flooding.
Forecast rainfall totals of 5 to 10 inches are expected through early Friday across portions of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, western Georgia, and the Florida Panhandle. Isolated areas could receive up to 20 inches of rainfall, especially where bands of heavy rain repeatedly move over the same locations.
Residents in flood-prone areas should closely monitor weather conditions, remain alert for Flash Flood Warnings, and be prepared to move to higher ground if flooding develops.
Outlook
Little additional strengthening is expected before Arthur moves inland. Once over land, gradual weakening is forecast, and the system could dissipate by tonight or early Thursday. However, even as winds decrease, the risk of dangerous flooding rainfall will continue well inland from the center of the storm.
Residents across the Gulf Coast are urged to stay informed through local emergency management agencies, National Weather Service offices, and official forecasts from the National Hurricane Center.
