Potential Tropical Threat Heading Toward Houston
8/30/26 at 11 am – A weak surface low pressure system now south of Louisiana is heading toward Houston. It should arrive Tuesday or Wednesday. National Hurricane Center puts the chances for tropical development at 30 percent – up from 10 percent yesterday morning.
Interests along the upper TX and southwest LA coast should closely monitor this system and forecasts
Early morning visible satellite images (see above) show a weak and broad surface low pressure systems. It has drifted to the southwest and is now located over the open Gulf waters southeast of the mouth of the Mississippi River.
According to Harris County Meteorologist Jeff Lindner, deep convection has developed and 97L appears slightly more organized than yesterday. However, ships, buoys and oil platforms over the area report that surface pressures remain relatively high (1015-1016mb).
Area of Investigation Designated as Invest 97L
The area of investigation has been designated Invest 97L. It should move slowly toward the west or WNW over the next 24 hours according to numerous models.
By 48 hours (Tuesday) 97L will approach the coast between Galveston Bay and Lake Charles. It will then continue toward the WNW inland over southeast Texas by mid week.
Models show only modest development with 97L. Wind shear in the northern Gulf has fallen into the 5-10 knot range. And water surface temperatures are in the upper 80s., So, there is some potential for more development than the models suggest.
“It is possible that a tropical system could be approaching the upper Texas coast on Tuesday or Wednesday.”
Jeff Lindner, Harris County Meteorologist
“Regardless of additional development, a surge a tropical moisture looks likely across the upper TX and southwest LA coast Tuesday-Thursday with an increasing threat of heavy to potentially excessive rainfall,” said Lindner.
Interests along the upper TX and southwest LA coast should closely monitor the progress of this system and check weather forecasts daily.
Chances of tropical formation for a second area now located near the windward islands have also increased overnight. However, that poses no immediate threat to the Texas Coast.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 8/30/26
3288 Days since Hurricane Harvey
