AUSTIN (KXAN) — Hurricane Beryl hammered the Yucatan Peninsula early Friday, weakened to a tropical storm over land, and was emerging into the Gulf of Mexico late in the day. The storm is expected to become a hurricane again, and it is looking more likely that the lower Texas coast will be the next landfall early next week.
Austin and all of the KXAN viewing area is in the “Cone of Uncertainty” for a possible impact Tuesday from the weakening hurricane, tropical storm, or depression. Excessive rain could cause flooding and wind damage will be possible, depending on the storm’s track. Read more about the storm below.
Friday was be the ninth consecutive day of triple-digit high temperatures as Camp Mabry topped out at 100°. The streak of 100° highs should be broken this weekend with more clouds and a few rain showers.
Some rain showers developed Friday afternoon and a 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms is in tomorrow’s forecast as a rare July cold front slides into the area.
Austin remains a part of Hurricane Beryl’s ‘Cone of Uncertainty’
Category 2 Hurricane Beryl made its Mexico landfall this morning at 6:05 a.m. near Tulum. Damaging winds and many power outages were reported from Tulum to Playa Del Carmen, though the region appears to have escaped widespread devastation like that in the eastern Caribbean.
The tropical storm is 600 miles ESE of Brownsville, and is now moving into the Gulf of Mexico. It is appearing more likely that Beryl’s final landfall will be in Texas. And, it is also becoming a greater possibility that the remnants of the storm (possibly still as a weak hurricane or tropical storm) will move over or near our Central Texas area.
The updated Cone of Uncertainty includes ALL of the KXAN viewing area.
It means a wet forecast much of next week as what will then be a Tropical Depression moves overhead.
Rainfall projections continue to slowly rise. The National Weather Service is projecting potential totals of 2-7 inches of rain over the next seven days in portions of Central and South-Central Texas.
The National Weather Service posted the following public message today about Beryl’s potential impact next week:
Hurricane Beryl is a category 1 hurricane as it moves over the Yucatan Peninsula. Beryl is forecast to enter the southwestern Gulf of Mexico as a tropical storm later today, then re-strengthen into a hurricane on Sunday morning as it moves to the northwest and approaches the Northeastern Mexico or South Texas coast. Confidence for rainfall chances has increased across portions of South Central Texas early to middle of next week with chances possibly continuing through late week due to tropical moisture in place while confidence in location remains low. There is still some forecast uncertainty as to where Beryl will make landfall over the western Gulf coast which will impact where potential heavy rain falls and strongest winds are across South Central Texas. However, the trend is for a more northern track through Texas. Travelers to the Texas coast this weekend will likely see higher than normal surf and increased dangerous rip currents. Dangerous swimming conditions are forecast. Don’t focus on individual model runs that might get posted on social media.
Key Messages: 1. There is an increasing risk of damaging hurricane-force winds and life-threatening storm surge in portions of northeastern Mexico and the lower and middle Texas Coast late Sunday and Monday where Hurricane and Storm Surge Watches have been issued. Additional watches may be required tonight or early Saturday. Interests in these areas should follow any advice given by local officials. 2. Flash and urban flooding are possible across portions of the Texas Gulf Coast and eastern Texas from Sunday through the middle of next week. 3. Rip currents will cause life-threatening beach conditions through the weekend across much of the Gulf Coast. Beachgoers should heed warning flags and the advice of lifeguards and local officials before venturing into the water. 4. Strong winds, storm surge, and heavy rainfall will continue over northern portions of the Yucatan Peninsula this evening.
Stay with the First Warning Weather Team to stay up to date with the latest forecast.
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