Tropical Storm Bill has formed in the Gulf of Mexico, becoming the second named storm of the 2015 Atlantic hurricane season. The system is expected to bring heavy rain threats to eastern Texas, but it's no threat to Florida.

———————————————

Tropical Storm Bill Advisory

11 p.m. update: Tropical storm warning issued as Tropical Storm Bill forms, expected to bring heavy rainfall to portions of eastern Texas.

Watches and Warnings

A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for the coast of Texas, from Baffin Bay to High Islasnd.

SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for:
*Baffin Bay to High Island, Texas

A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area.

Discussion and 48-hour outlook

At 11 p.m., the center of Tropical Storm Bill was located near latitude 27.1 north, longitude 94.2 west. Bill is moving toward the northwest near 12 mph, and this general motion is expected to continue tonight and Tuesday. On the forecast track, the center of Bill is expected to make landfall in the warning area along the Texas coast Tuesday morning and move inland over south-central Texas Tuesday afternoon and Tuesday night.

 Maximum sustained winds are near 50 mph, with higher gusts. Some slight strengthening is possible before landfall. Weakening is forecast after the center moves inland on Tuesday, and Bill is expected to weaken to a tropical depression Tuesday night.

 Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 160 miles from the center.

 The estimated minimum central pressure is 1,005 mb, or 29.68 inches.

Hazards affecting land

Rainfall: Bill is expected to produce total rain accumulations of 4-8 inches over eastern Texas and eastern Oklahoma, and 2-4 inches over western Louisiana and western Arkansas, with possible isolated maximum amounts of 12 inches in eastern Texas.

Wind: Tropical storm conditions are expected to first reach the coast within the warning area tonight.

Storm surge: The combination of storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters. The water could reach the following heights above ground if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide:

— Upper Texas coast: 2-4 feet

— Western Louisiana coast: 1-2 feet

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

Next advisory

Intermediate advisory: 2 a.m.
Complete advisory: 5 a.m.

Tropical Storm Bill

  • Location: 27.1 N, 94.2 W
  • Winds: 50 mph
  • Movement: NW at 12 mph
  • Pressure: 1,005 mb (29.68 inches)

Track the tropics

Watch our exclusive Storm Threat 2015 special on Bright House Networks Local on Demand, Channel 999.