UPDATE: Beryl will bring excessive rainfall, tornado threats to SW La.

Tropical Storm Beryl is moving through the Gulf of Mexico and is forecast to regain hurricane strength before it approaches south Texas later tonight.

“Beryl has begun to strengthen with winds at about at 65 mph, but it remains a tropical storm,” said Donald Jones, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s Lake Charles office. “It’s running out of time to intensify before moving inland, which is good news for everyone.”

The National Hurricane Center is forecasting Beryl to make landfall near Bay City, Texas, with maximum winds of 85 mph. The chance of it being any stronger is unlikely.

“There is a well-defined center of circulation approaching the Texas coast, but I’m not going to say it’s an eye yet,” Jones said.

Rainbands of Tropical Storm Beryl will move across the region tonight and Monday.

A flash flood threat will exist across Southwest Louisiana. The threat of tornadoes will be possible, as well.

“Wind shear remains light across Beryl, which will support intensification this evening and overnight,” Jones said.

Tropical storm-force winds could occur between 10 p.m. tonight and 2 a.m. Monday in the area.

There is a 15 percent chance of excessive rainfall across Southwest Louisiana most of the day Monday.

“We’re looking at rainfall all day Monday and it could linger a bit into Tuesday,” Jones said.

He said 2-4 inches of rainfall is expected.

A coastal flood warning is in effect for coastal parts of Cameron Parish. That means a surge of 1-3 is expected.

Storm surge of 1-3 feet is expected from Sabine Pass to the Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge.

“Bottom line, it’s going to be wet the next couple of days,” Jones said.