Potential tropical cyclone became a tropical depression on Monday

Article first published: Monday, Aug. 21, 2023, 11 a.m. ET

Article last updated: Monday, Aug. 21, 2023, 8 p.m. ET

On Monday at 8 pm, the National Hurricane Center issued an advisory stating that the tropical depression has become a tropical depression with sustained winds of 35 mph after intensifying from a potential tropical cyclone.

The tropical depression is 320 miles east-southeast of Port Mansfield Texas, with maximum sustained wind of 35 mph. It’s moving 18 mph to the west.

"Strengthening is forecast, and the system is expected to become a tropical storm before it reaches the Texas coast." meteorologists observed.

SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for:

- Mouth of Rio Grande to Port O'Connor, Texas

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for:

- Port O'Connor to Sargent, Texas

A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area, in this case within 12 to 24 hours.

A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, in this case within 12 to 24 hours.

Interests elsewhere in eastern Texas and northern Mexico should monitor the progress of this system.

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND:

RAINFALL: The depression is expected to produce rainfall amounts of 3 to 5 inches, with isolated higher amounts of 7 inches, across South Texas on Tuesday and Wednesday. Areas of flash flooding will be possible.

Across Mexico, rainfall amounts of 4 to 6 inches, with local amounts of 10 inches, are expected across portions of northern Coahuila and northern Nuevo Leon on Tuesday and Wednesday. Areas of flash flooding are expected.

WIND: Tropical storm conditions are expected in the warning area and are possible in the watch area early Tuesday.

STORM SURGE: The combination of a storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline. The water could reach the following heights above ground somewhere in the indicated areas if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide...

Mouth of Rio Grande to Sargent, including Baffin Bay, Corpus Christi Bay and Matagorda Bay...1 to 3 ft

The deepest water will occur along the immediate coast near and to the north of the landfall location, where the surge will be accompanied by large waves. Surge-related flooding depends on the relative timing of the surge and the tidal cycle, and can vary greatly over short distances.

TORNADOES: A couple of tornadoes are possible across south Texas on Tuesday.

SURF: Large swells generated by the depression will affect portions of southern Texas tonight through Tuesday. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.

Source: National Hurricane Center

This story was originally published August 21, 2023 at 11:06 AM.