Tropical storm Arthur forms, the first of the Atlantic season. Rainfall the main threat

Tropical storm Arthur has become the first named storm of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season today, forming near the middle Texas coast and expected to be relatively short-lived, with heavy rainfall and life-threatening flooding seen as the main threats.

Tropical storm Arthur has formed out of a disturbance made up of the remnants of storm activity in the Pacific and over northern Mexico, and while it may not retain tropical storm status for long, inches of rainfall are expected over a very wide area as it tracks over Gulf states.

Arthur has maximum sustained winds of 45 mph and they may not peak much higher than that if it moves north back across the Gulf coast as expected.

The National Hurricane Center said, “On the forecast track, the low pressure area should move northeastward along the Texas coast today and then move inland over southwestern Louisiana by tonight.

“Surface observations and data from the Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters indicate that maximum sustained winds have increased to near 45 mph (75 km/h) with higher gusts. Little change in strength is expected before the center moves over land. Weakening is anticipated once the low moves inland, and it could dissipate by tonight or early Thursday.”

Rainfall totals of between 5 and 10 inches are expected, with isolated higher totals of as much as 20 inches in some areas.

Heavy rainfall is expected to affect from the Mid and Upper Texas coast east-northeast into southern and central portions of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, along with western portions of Georgia and the Florida Panhandle, the NHC said.

Dangerous to life-threatening flooding is possible from these rains, while between 2 and 4 feet of storm surge is also deemed possible, between Port Bolivar, Texas to Morgan City, Louisiana.

In addition, the NHC warned of the chance of “couple of tornadoes” through Thursday from the Upper Texas Coast into southern Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and the western Florida Panhandle.

You can track the tropics using our 2026 Atlantic hurricane season page, which will be updated when any tropical storm activity occurs and with the latest forecasts.