Latest Projected Path of Tropical System Shifts Closer to Texas

Invest 97L

That's the name that the National Hurricane Center has given to a tropical system that continues to push west-northwestward across Puerto Rico. The wave is expected to better organize as it continues across Cuba before making a more northerly turn into the eastern Gulf of Mexico.

The question is when will that turn occur? Several forecast models had been showing an earlier turn which would take the system to the east of Florida and towards the Bahamas.

Now, that cone has shifted west which brings the coastlines of Mississippi, Alabama, and the Florida Panhandle into play.

What About Texas?

Every weather model I have seen turns this tropical system northward into the U.S. before reaching New Orleans. That's good news for millions of Texas residents who are still very 'storm-weary' after recovering from Hurricane Beryl.

Several weeks ago, when Beryl was still approaching the Yucatan Peninsula, anyone living in northern Mexico all the way to Lake Charles, Louisiana was considered at risk of taking a direct hit from Beryl.

The cone of what may eventually become Tropical Storm Debbie also has a wide variance of landfall possibilities, from New Orleans to the entire east coast of Florida. As of now, meteorologists believe the worst that the Upper Texas Coast will experience is a rise in wave action, and a slight chance of rain this weekend.

Never Say Never

Even though there is a very low possibility of this tropical system adjusting its track to Texas, it would be a good idea to monitor the latest updates, just in case. 

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