Tropical Storm Don's outer rain bands approaching the Texas coast
Tropical Storm Don's external rain bands are future the Texas coastline.
At 10:00 a.m. CDT the center of Tropical Storm Don was located near latitude 26.2 north, longitude 94.9 west. Don is moving toward the west-northwest near 14 mph and this general motion is expected to continue for the next 36 to 48 hours. On the forecast track, the center of don is expected to make landfall on the Texas coast tonight or early Saturday, and then move across southern Texas on Saturday.
A tropical storm warning is in effect for the Texas coast from the mouth of the Rio Grande to Matagorda
Maximum sustained winds are near 50 mph with higher gusts. Slight strengthening is possible before landfall, with steady weakening expected after landfall.
Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 105 miles, 165 km from the center.
The minimum central pressure estimated from air force reserve hurricane hunter aircraft data is 1002 mb, 29.59 inches.
Tropical storm conditions are expected within the warning area by late today.
Water levels will rise by as much as 1 to 2 feet above ground level, mainly along the immediate coast near and to the northeast of where the center makes landfall. Near the coast, the surge will be accompanied by large and damaging waves.
Don is expected to produce total rain accumulations of 3 to 5 inches from south Texas into extreme northeastern Mexico, with possible isolated maximum amounts of 7 inches.
Isolated tornadoes are possible over portions of south Texas this afternoon and tonight.
Next intermediate advisory, 1:00 p.m. CDT. Next complete advisory, 4:00 p.m. CD
MIAMI Tropical Storm Don is moving closer to southeast Texas as it crosses the central Gulf of Mexico, but it isn't expected to become a hurricane.
The National Hurricane Center in Miami says Don's maximum sustained winds Friday were 50 mph (85 kph) with only slight strengthening expected before it reaches the coast of Texas late Friday or early Saturday. It is forecast to weaken after landfall.
A tropical storm warning is in effect for the Texas coast from the mouth of the Rio Grande toMatagorda.
Don is centered about 190 miles (305 kilometers) southeast of Corpus Christi, Texas, and is moving west-northwest near 14 mph (22 kph).
