High-resolution satellite images show that the cloud pattern of Harvey is a little better organized. So Tropical Depression Harvey has not strengthened at this time.
- Harvey likely hit Texas Gulf Coast
- Storm is 445 miles SE of Port Mansfield, Texas
- Maximum sustained winds at 35 mph
The models predict that an upper-level low over the northwest Gulf of Mexico will essentially dissipate in a day or so. Therefore, Harvey is expected to gradually strengthen as it moves toward the Texas Coast. Harvey is likely to become a hurricane.
After 48 hours, steering currents weaken. As a result, Harvey should decelerate while making landfall and move very slowly just inland of the coast.
Harvey is likely to bring multiple hazards, including heavy rainfall, storm surge, and possible hurricane conditions to portions of the Texas coast beginning on Friday. Computer models are forecasting rainfall of over 20 inches is possible in Southeast Texas.
Heavy rainfall is likely to spread across portions of eastern Texas, Louisiana, and the lower Mississippi Valley from Friday through early next week and could cause life-threatening flooding.
A Storm Surge Watch is in effect from Port Mansfield to High Island, Texas, indicating the possibility of life-threatening inundation from rising water moving inland from the coast during the next 48 hours.
An area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms stretching across the Bahamas, southern Florida, and the adjacent waters is associated with a trough of low pressure. Any development of this system during the next few days should be slow to occur while it drifts northward over Florida.
Conditions could become a little more favorable for tropical or subtropical development over the weekend when the system begins to move northeastward away from Florida and over the western Atlantic.
Regardless of development, heavy rain is possible over portions of Florida during the next few days. Rain chances are higher here in Tampa Bay and that’s reflected in our 7 day forecast.
