Tropical Storm Alberto is over, but what's next for 2024's hurricane season?
The Coastal Bend experienced the first tropical storm of hurricane season Wednesday, which brought much needed rainfall to the area.
But with another disturbance in the Gulf of Mexico on the National Hurricane Center's (NHC) radar, the possibility of more rain in the coming week is on the horizon.
The NHC noticed the formation Wednesday evening, and, as of Thursday, the forecast has not changed.
A broad area of low pressure is set to form over southeastern Mexico and northern Central America Friday. Environmental conditions appear conducive for gradual development after the system moves over the Bay of Campeche Saturday.
A tropical depression could possibly form over the southwestern Gulf of Mexico this weekend while it moves either slowly west-northwestward or northwestward.
The NHC estimated a 20% chance of formation by Saturday and a 50% chance by Thursday, June 27.
How did Tropical Storm Alberto affect the Coastal Bend?
On Tuesday, the National Hurricane Center issued advisories on the storm, which was officially named Wednesday.
"Regardless of development and the landfall location, several hazards will be felt over South Texas through Thursday due to the large extent and slow movement of this system," the National Weather Service in Corpus Christi said in a statement Wednesday. "The main threats continue to be a moderate to high risk of flash flooding, significant coastal flooding, a high risk of rip currents, river flooding and wind gusts over 50 mph along the coast."
Several road closures, minor coastal flooding, a downed powerline in Portland and Gregory, damages on North Padre Island and minimal power outages (3,750) were some of the effects from Tropical Storm Alberto Wednesday.
As of 4 a.m. Thursday, all tropical storm warnings were canceled for the Texas coast, but a flood watch and coastal flood warning remained in effect.
Rainfall totals ranged from 3 to 6 inches in the Corpus Christi area and 8 to 10 inches across the Rockport area.
Did the rain help the drought?
In early June, city officials said the region remains on track to hit Stage 3 water restrictions in August.
Corpus Christi has been in Stage 2 drought since March, and previously, was in Stage 1 drought since June 2022.
While it is too soon to officially see how the rainfall helped the overall volume of the city’s two main water sources, Lake Corpus Christi and Choke Canyon, there was a small increase of .9% on Thursday compared to Wednesday.
In a release Thursday, Corpus Christi Water (CCW) said the actual rainfall in the watershed was less than initial storm projections, but nonetheless was extremely beneficial. The impact of the event immediately increased reservoirs in one day from 25% to 26% of combined reservoir storage.
This time last year, the volume was at 44% — an 18% difference.
As run-off continues, CCW expects a continued increase in our reservoir levels.
Stage 2 Restrictions remain in effect. The public will be informed of any changes to water restrictions.
RELATED COVERAGE
More: US Highway 81 closed due to downed powerline; updates on Tropical Storm Alberto
More: Corpus Christi to give out free sandbags in anticipation of flooding, heavy rain
John Oliva covers entertainment and community news in South Texas. Contact him at john.oliva@caller.com or Twitter @johnpoliva.
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This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Disturbance in Gulf of Mexico on National Hurricane Center's radar
