Tropical Storm Harold heads toward the Texas-Mexico border as tropics heat up

On Tuesday morning, the National Hurricane Center said that Tropical Storm Harold is expected to bring heavy rainfall and high winds to much of south Texas and northern Mexico throughout the next 48 hours. Harold formed in the Gulf of Mexico early Tuesday morning and is currently about 70 miles southeast of Port Mansfield, TX. The storm is moving west-northwest toward the Texas-Mexico border at 18 mph, producing wind speeds of 45 mph with tropical storm force winds extending out 115 miles from Harold's center. The NHC said that Harold could increase in strength before making landfall later tonight.

Current tropical outlookPhoto byNWC

Tropical storm warnings and watches are up in parts of south Texas, where Harold is expected to produce between 3 to 5 inches of rain through Wednesday, causing some flash and coastal flooding. Flash flooding is also expected in northern Mexico, where Harold is predicted to produce between 4 to 6 inches of rain.

Harold was being referred to as “potential tropical cyclone nine" until it reached tropical storm strength early Tuesday morning. Richard Pasch, a senior meteorologist with the National Hurricane Center said that Harold could drop up to 7 inches of rain onto south Texas into Wednesday and that a "couple" tornadoes are possible across south Texas through the afternoon.

Harold formed just a day after Hurricane Hilary made landfall in Mexico's Baja California Peninsula. bringing record-breaking rainfall to Southern California, causing roads to flood and mudslides.

As we approach the heart of hurricane season, the tropics are heating up with activity as there are five systems currently on the radar but only Harold currently poses a threat to the U.S.