Heavy tropical rain begins today

Weather Headline: Soon to be Tropical Storm Alberto is set to make landfall in N. Mexico overnight bringing dumping rain into the state today. Rainfall totals by Friday in the Crossroads could reach up to 6-9 inches... Read on for more details.

What we're tracking: The current tropical depression in the W. Central Gulf this morning is expected to very slowly continue tracking west towards N. Mexico making landfall by tomorrow Thursday morning. This system will likely officially be named Tropical Storm Alberto by this afternoon as tropical storm force winds have been observed. This wind field expands over 300 miles north all the way along the Texas coast, prompting Tropical Storm Warnings to be issued for our coastal counties. Winds in coastal counties could gust up to 55-60 mph at times with gusts averaging around 45-50 mph. Rip current threat will be very high. Storm surge between 1-3 feet is forecast with high surf and strong Gulf winds blowing the water on land. Beach erosion alongside water covered parking lots and low lying streets will be likely. Coastal counties are also under Coastal Flood Watch with rain amounts up to 6-9 inches possible in some localized coastal areas. Inland counties of the Crossroads are under Flood Watch due to the likely heavy rains today and some tomorrow producing between 1-5 inches throughout the inland Crossroads with inch heavier rainfall totals possible furthest south. Winds throughout inland counties will gust between 35-45 mph with an occasional 50 mph gust possible especially closer to the coast. After this system dwindles in Mexico, ANOTHER tropical system will likely begin forming in the Gulf this weekend... More details on this to come later this week.

Next 24 hours: Persistent moderate to heavy scattered showers will ensure for the entire Crossroads all of today with rain activity dying down some overnight. Rainfall in Victoria County is forecast at around 1-3 inches, which is much nicer than yesterday's forecast between 5-7 inches... Highs only reach the upper 70s and low 80s this afternoon with the consistent rain cooling us. Scattered showers begin developing again for some tomorrow morning going into tomorrow afternoon. Rain chances tomorrow remain at 70%. If rain is not observed in your area at any time tomorrow, mostly cloudy skies will be in the background with highs in the mid-upper 80s. Winds today will gust between 35-45 mph with gusts up to 60 mph along the coast. Winds decrease some tomorrow still gusting between 30-35 mph.

Extended forecast: Rain chances will be on the decrease after today before picking back up later this weekend with more possible tropical mischief underway... We heat up a little bit this weekend back into the 90s with some returning sunshine. See below for your wet and warm 7 day Crossroads forecast!

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