Updated to Tropical Storm Alex

Tropical storm Alex has made landfall.

BELIZE CITY – Tropical Storm Alex made landfall late Saturday on Belize's coast, where hundreds of tourists and residents fled low-lying islands ahead of the storm's arrival.

Besides Belize, Alex's torrential rains were drenching Guatemala and Mexico's resort-studded Caribbean coast, where beachgoers were warned to stay out of the water because of rough surf.

The storm, with maximum sustained winds of about 60 mph (95 kph), was expected to weaken as it pushed its way across the Yucatan Peninsula then regain strength later Sunday as it entered the Gulf of Mexico. Alex appeared headed west of the massive oil spill in parts of the Gulf, but meteorologists warned that a storm's track can quickly change.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center said Alex was centered about 20 miles (30 kms) northwest of Belize City late Saturday evening.

A tropical storm warning was in effect for Belize and Mexico's entire Caribbean coastline up to Cancun. Belize officials opened storm shelters in the island tourist resort of San Pedro, as some 1,400 people fled for the mainland by plane and by boat.

Torrential downpours and heavy winds were reported on offshore islands Saturday afternoon. Shelters also opened in Belize City, where motorists formed long lines at gas stations and shoppers stocked up on water, canned food and other emergency supplies amid sporadic rain.

Rough seas halted maritime traffic, and Belize City Mayor Zenaida Moya-Flowers went on national radio to urge boaters to make for safe harbor. Nevertheless, she said, emergency plans were well under way and "we are prepared."

A storm surge of 3-5 feet (1-1.5 meters) was expected along the northern coast and offshore islands, national emergency coordinator Noreen Fairweather said.

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Alex has been weakened to a Tropical depression, but is expected to regain strength again as it enters the Gulf later tonight into tomorrow.

Tropical Depression Alex nears southern Gulf

M. Ressler, Lead Meteorologist,
The Weather Channel Jun. 27, 2010 11:00 am ET

ATLANTIC

Alex made landfall Saturday evening in Belize as a 65 mile per hour tropical storm. It has since weakened to a tropical depression and now (as of 10 a.m. Central Time Sunday) has top winds near 35 miles per hour.

Alex is located about 85 miles south of Campeche, Mexico, and is moving to the west-northwest at 12 miles per hour. Alex will soon move into the Bay of Campeche (the southern Gulf of Mexico) and begin to re-intensify.

Alex is expected to reach hurricane strength by early Tuesday morning and head in the general direction of the northeastern Mexican Coast by midweek. With as large of a system as Alex is, some impacts should be felt in parts of South Texas even if Alex's final landfall is somewhere in Mexico.

All tropical storm warnings have been discontinued. In the short term, heavy rain is expected across the Yucatan Peninsula, Guatemala, Belize, and southern Mexico, with rainfall amounts between four to eight inches expected as well as locally heavier amounts particularly in mountainous areas.

Elsewhere in the Atlantic, there is a tropical wave interacting with an upper level trough well east of the Bahamas and well north of the Lesser Antilles. This system, however, is not expected to develop.

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Alex has regained strength as it enters the Gulf.

Alex back to a tropical storm

Tropical Storm Alex emerged off the Mexican coast into the southern Gulf of Mexico Sunday evening. As of 11pm EDT Sunday Alex regained tropical storm strength with top winds of 45 mph. It was located about 60 miles west-southwest of Campeche, Mexico and about 470 east-southeast of Tampico, Mexico.

From now on with plenty of very warm Gulf water under it and no shear over it, Alex will be able to steadily strengthen, reaching hurricane strength as early as Tuesday. It is heading in the general direction of the northeastern Mexican Coast by midweek. With as large of a system as Alex is, some impacts should be felt in parts of South Texas even if Alex's final landfall is somewhere in Mexico. In fact, much of the Gulf of Mexico will deal with squalls, thunderstorms and locally heavy rain.

In the short term, heavy rain is expected across the Yucatan Peninsula, Guatemala and southern Mexico, with rainfall amounts between four to eight inches expected as well as locally heavier amounts particularly in mountainous areas.

Elsewhere in the Atlantic, there is a tropical wave interacting with an upper level trough well east of the Bahamas and well north of the Lesser Antilles. This system, however, is not expected to develop.

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Tropical storm Alex is gaining strength as it heads into the southern gulf.

Tropical Storm Alex gaining strength

Tropical Storm Alex emerged from the Yucatan Peninsula Sunday evening and has wasted little time strengthening. As of 11 am EDT Monday Alex was located about 535 miles to the southeast of Brownsville, Texas with top winds of 60 mph.

Alex is moving toward the north-northwest at 7 mph. A slow northwest motion should continue for the next 2 to 3 days.

A hurricane watch has been issued from La Cruz, Mexico to the south end of Baffin Bay, Texas. Further strengthening is likely as Alex moves over the very warm water in the Bay of Campeche and southwestern Gulf.

Atmospheric conditions also favor strengthening with very little wind shear and excellent outflow due to a large ridge of high pressure over the cyclone.

Alex could become a hurricane by Tuesday morning.

On its current forecast track Alex should make landfall Thursday, early in the day if northeast Mexico or later if southern Texas.

Heavy rain and flooding are possible over the western Yucatan Peninsula, southern Mexico and northern Guatemala through Tuesday.

Additional rainfall amounts of 3 to 6 inches are possible in the lower elevations with up to 10 inches possible in the mountains.

A surge in tropical moisture that has moved in concert with Alex has already reached the Gulf coast of the U.S. Heavy shower and thunderstorm activity should continue along the coast today with more concentrated rainfall from Alex reaching the western Gulf coast Tuesday.

Increasing south-to-southeast winds along the central and western Gulf coast could cause some minor coastal flooding at high tide later today through Tuesday.

It remains quiet over the rest of the Atlantic Basin.

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Update

Tropical Storm Alex strengthens

New thunderstorm activity near the center of Tropical Storm Alex indicate that the system is strenghtening. Hurricane Hunters flying through the storm also report stronger winds. As of 10pm CDT Monday the center of Tropical Storm Alex was a little over 500 miles to the southeast of Brownsville, Texas with top winds of 65 mph.

Alex is moving toward the north at 5 mph. A turn back to the northwest is forecast Tuesday.

Hurricane warnings are now in effect from Baffin Bay, Texas south to La Cruz, Mexico. A tropical storm warning is in effect north of the hurricane warning from Baffin Bay to Port O'Connor. Further strengthening is likely as Alex moves over the very warm water in the Bay of Campeche and southwestern Gulf.

Atmospheric conditions also favor strengthening with very little wind shear and excellent outflow due to a large ridge of high pressure over the cyclone.

Alex should become a hurricane Tuesday.

On its current forecast track Alex should make landfall Wednesday afternoon or evening, either in northeast Mexico or the lower Gulf Coast of Texas.

Heavy rain and flooding are possible over the western Yucatan Peninsula and southern Mexico through Tuesday.

Additional rainfall amounts of 3 to 6 inches are possible in the lower elevations with up to 10 inches possible in the mountains.

A surge in tropical moisture that has moved in concert with Alex has already reached the Gulf coast of the U.S. Heavy shower and thunderstorm activity should continue along the coast with more concentrated rainfall from Alex beginning to reach the coasts of northeast Mexico and south Texas Tuesday.

Increasing south-to-southeast winds along the central and western Gulf coast could cause some minor coastal flooding at high tide.

It remains quiet over the rest of the Atlantic Basin.

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Update

Tropical Storm Alex nears hurricane status

Jun. 29, 2010 10:55 am ET

Tropical Storm Alex is on the verge of becoming the first hurricane of the season. As of 10 am CDT Tuesday Alex was located about 355 miles to the southeast of Brownsville, Texas with top winds of 70 mph.

Alex is moving toward the northwest at 12 mph. This motion should continue with a slow turn toward the northwest anticipated overnight or Wednesday.

Hurricane warnings are now in effect from Baffin Bay, Texas south to La Cruz, Mexico. A tropical storm warning is in effect north of the hurricane warning from Baffin Bay to Port O'Connor. Further strengthening is likely as Alex moves over the very warm water in the Bay of Campeche and southwestern Gulf.

Atmospheric conditions also favor strengthening with very little wind shear and excellent outflow due to a large ridge of high pressure over the cyclone.

On its current forecast track Alex should make landfall Wednesday evening, just south of the Rio Grande in northeast Mexico. At that time Alex could be a category-2 hurricane.

Some heavy rain is still occurring over the western portion of southern Mexico where another 2 to 4 inches are possible through tonight.

Scattered thunderstorms along the Texas coast today are loosely associated with Alex. The heavier rain and stronger winds should arrive during the day Wednesday.

Increasing south-to-southeast winds along the central and western Gulf coast could cause some minor coastal flooding at high tide.

Along with the midweek wind threat, Alex will bring torrential flooding rains to southern Texas and adjacent areas of northern Mexico. Rainfall totals of 5 to 10 inches or more are likely mid to late week.

It remains quiet over the rest of the Atlantic Basin.

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Alex is expected to become a Hurricane in the next few hours.

Tropical Storm Alex nears hurricane status

Tropical Storm Alex is on the verge of becoming the first hurricane of the season. As of 4 pm CDT Tuesday Alex was located about 290 miles to the southeast of Brownsville, Texas with top winds of 70 mph.

Alex is moving toward the northwest at 13 mph. This motion should continue with a slow turn toward the west-northwest anticipated Wednesday.

Hurricane warnings are now in effect from Baffin Bay, Texas south to La Cruz, Mexico. A tropical storm warning is in effect north of the hurricane warning from Baffin Bay to Port O'Connor and south of the hurricane warning from La Cruz to Cabo Rojo.

Out ahead of Alex, tropical storm conditions should start in the warning areas by Wednesday morning so finish preparations tonight if possible. Further strengthening is likely as Alex moves over the very warm water in the Bay of Campeche and southwestern Gulf.

Atmospheric conditions also favor strengthening with very little wind shear and excellent outflow due to a large ridge of high pressure over the cyclone.

On its current forecast track Alex should make landfall sometime later Wednesday afternoon or early Wednesday evening, just south of the Rio Grande in northeast Mexico. At that time Alex will be at least a category-1 hurricane.

Increasing south-to-southeast winds along the central and western Gulf coast continue to cause some coastal flooding at high tide.

Wednesday into Thursday morning, expect damaging winds in the warning area. Also, on the north side of Alex's track, a possible 3-to-5-foot storm surge will be accompanied by high waves.

Alex also poses a major flooding threat. Torrential rains will accompany Alex's inland journey across northern Mexico and southern Texas. Rainfall totals of 6 to 12 inches are likely mid to late week with localized totals possibly nearing 2 feet.

It remains quiet over the rest of the Atlantic Basin.

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Alex is now a Hurricane, the first hurricane of the season in the Atlantic.

Alex: First hurricane of Atlantic season

Jun. 29, 2010 10:47 pm ET

Alex was upgraded to the season's first hurricane as of 10 pm CDT Tuesday. It is located 255 miles southeast of Brownsville, Texas.

Alex's forward motion has slowed a tad, now sliding west at 9 mph. This motion should continue through Wednesday.

Hurricane warnings are now in effect from Baffin Bay, Texas south to La Cruz, Mexico. A tropical storm warning is in effect north of the hurricane warning from Baffin Bay to Port O'Connor and south of the hurricane warning from La Cruz to Cabo Rojo.

Out ahead of Alex, tropical storm conditions should start in the warning areas by Wednesday morning. Further strengthening is likely as Alex moves over the very warm water in the western Gulf of Mexico.

Atmospheric conditions also favor strengthening with very little wind shear and excellent outflow due to a large ridge of high pressure over the cyclone.

On its current forecast track Alex should make landfall sometime Wednesday afternoon or early Wednesday evening, south of the Rio Grande in northeast Mexico. At that time Alex will be at least a category-1 hurricane.

Increasing south-to-southeast winds along the central and western Gulf coast continue to cause some coastal flooding at high tide.

Wednesday into Thursday morning, expect damaging winds in the warning area. Also, on the north side of Alex's track, a possible 3-to-5-foot storm surge will be accompanied by high waves.

Alex also poses a major flooding threat. Torrential rains will accompany Alex's inland journey across northern Mexico and southern Texas. Rainfall totals of 6 to 12 inches are likely mid to late week with localized totals possibly nearing 2 feet.

Alex is the first Atlantic Basin hurricane during the month of June in over 15 years, since 1995's Hurricane Allison. A hurricane has not made a U.S. landfall in June since Hurricane Bonnie in 1986. Given the projected path, it appears that streak will remain intact.

It remains quiet over the rest of the Atlantic Basin.

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Update

Hurricane Alex bearing down on Texas & Mexico

Jun. 30, 2010 2:14 pm ET

Alex was upgraded to the season's first hurricane as of 10 pm CDT Tuesday.

As of 1pm CDT this afternoon the center of Alex was located 130 miles to the south-southeast of Brownsville, Texas and 110 miles to the east-northeast of La Pesca, Mexico.

Alex has undergone some strengthening and winds are now at 85 mph.

Additional strengthening is possible today as the hurricane moves over the warm water in the western Gulf of Mexico. Atmospheric conditions also favor strengthening with very little wind shear and excellent outflow due to a large ridge of high pressure over the cyclone.

It is still possible for Alex to achieve category two status before landfall tonight.

Hurricane Alex slowed last evening and even stalled for a period overnight. Since then it has picked up speed with a movement off to the west-northwest at 12 mph.

On its current path Alex should make landfall Wednesday evening or early Thursday morning south of the Rio Grande River in northeast Mexico.

Hurricane warnings are now in effect from Baffin Bay, Texas south to La Cruz, Mexico. A tropical storm warning is in effect north of the hurricane warning from Baffin Bay to Port O'Connor and south of the hurricane warning from La Cruz to Cabo Rojo.

Rain bands and squalls from Alex will continue spiraling on shore along the Gulf coast from Louisiana through Texas today. In these bands isolated tornadoes will be possible anywhere within 50 to 100 miles of the southeast Texas Coast.

The biggest concern with Alex in the United States is heavy rain that brings the potential of flooding. Widespread rainfall totals of 4 inches or more are likely from southern Louisiana southwestward across much of south and southeast Texas. Locally 12 inches or more will fall over South Texas.

A water rise of 2 to 5 feet is possible from the landfall point in northeast Mexico through the southern Texas coast.

Once Alex moves inland Thursday the winds should diminish quickly, but the heavy rainfall should continue in northern Mexico and southern Texas. Heavy rain could fall in those areas through at least Friday.

It remains quiet over the rest of the Atlantic Basin.

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Alex made landfall tonight around 9pm in northern Mexico.

Hurricane Alex Has Made Its Landfall

Jun. 30, 2010 10:38 pm ET

Hurricane Alex made landfall in northern Mexico at 9pm CDT around 110 miles south of Brownsville, Texas.

Alex's maximum sustained winds are now 100 mph. A westward movement around 10 mph continues as the hurricane moves inland.

Hurricane warnings have been dropped for the South Texas coast, downgraded to tropical storm warnings from the Rio Grande River north to Port O' Connor.

Rain bands and squalls from Alex will continue to pound on shore along the Gulf coast from Louisiana through Texas. In these bands isolated tornadoes will be possible anywhere within 50 to 100 miles of the Texas Coast.

The biggest concern with Alex in the United States is heavy rain that brings the potential of flooding. Widespread rainfall totals of 4 inches or more are likely from southern Louisiana southwestward across much of south and southeast Texas. Locally 12 inches or more will fall over South Texas. Heavy rain could fall in those areas through at least Friday.

It remains quiet over the rest of the Atlantic Basin.

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Update

Alex weakens but still dumping heavy rain

Jul. 1, 2010 4:54 pm ET

Hurricane Alex made landfall in Soto La Marina, Mexico - about 110 miles south of Brownsville, Texas - around 9:00 pm CDT Wednesday with top winds of 105 mph. Alex was a category 2 on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale.

Alex was the strongest hurricane in the Atlantic Basin in June since Alma of 1966.

As of 4pm CDT Thursday Alex was located 220 miles to the west of La Pesca Mexico with top winds of 40 mph. Alex will be downgraded to a tropical depression.

Now that Alex is inland the focus shifts to the heavy rain and flood threat. Rainfall amounts of 10 to 20 inches are expected in the mountains of northern Mexico through Friday. Dangerous flooding and mud slides are likely.

Southern Texas is not off the hook with occasional heavy rain bands in the forecast through tonight and sporadic heavy showers continuing Friday. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 6 inches are possible from Corpus Christi west to Laredo and south to the Rio Grade River through Friday.

Flash flooding is most likely through tonight, however, river flooding could continue across southern Texas into the holiday weekend.

Isolated tornadoes are still a threat throughout southern Texas today with the threat lowering greatly tonight and Friday.

The tropics are quiet elsewhere throughout the Atlantic Basin. No tropical storms are expected to form in the next 24 to 48 hours.

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[edit on 1-7-2010 by InvisibleObserver]

a cat 2 or three going over the oil spill
bringing it inland
and i cant find nuthing

reply to post by icecold7


Alex missed the the oil leak area.

Is that what your wondering?

reply to post by InvisibleObserver


ok thanks
kinda