20 June 2024News

Alberto kicks off 2024 storm season as it targets Mexico

Tropical Storm Alberto is heading due west for the Mexican coast after causing widespread coastal flooding in southern Texas. 

At least three people were killed in storm-related events in the state of Nuevo León in Mexico, the New York Times said. One teenager was trapped by currents in a river and drowned, and two other minors were electrocuted crossing a pond that was in contact with a live cable, the El Universal newspaper reported, citing local emergency authorities.

At 6am GMT, the storm was positioned about 120 miles (190 km) ESE of Tampico Mexico or about 290 miles (465 km) SSE of the US border at Brownsville Texas, the US National Hurricane Center last reported. 

The storm, with maximum sustained wind speeds of just 50 miles per hour (85 km/h), was last bearing due west at 9 mph (15 km/h). Alberto has more breadth than strength:  tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 460 miles (740 km) from the centre.

Alberto's centre was last expected to reach the Gulf coast of Mexico late morning local time. 

“Some slight strengthening is possible before the centre of Alberto reaches land,” the Alberto stands no chance against the Mexican mountains. The storm was anticipated to dissipate in full within 24 hours of the NHC's 6:00 GMT report.  

A Tropical Storm Warning is now in effect stretching neighbourhood 800 miles from San Luis Pass on the Texas coast southward into Mexico all the way to Tecolutla.

Rainfall is expected to the tune of 5 to 10 inches across northeast Mexico into South Texas, with maximum totals around 20 inches possible across select higher terrains. Storm surge forecasts were offered for the Texas coast at up to four feet, but will be higher near the Mexican landfall. A few tornadoes are said to be possible.

Did you get value from this story? Sign up to our free daily newsletters and get stories like this sent straight to your inbox.




More on this story

News
31 May 2024   High sea surface temperatures and La Nina may combine for a very active Atlantic season.
News
22 May 2024   Modelling firm Verisk said it is too early to say if it will be record-breaking.
News
5 April 2024   Colorado State University predicts five major hurricanes in 2024.

More on this story

News
31 May 2024   High sea surface temperatures and La Nina may combine for a very active Atlantic season.
News
22 May 2024   Modelling firm Verisk said it is too early to say if it will be record-breaking.
News
5 April 2024   Colorado State University predicts five major hurricanes in 2024.