The National Hurricane Center says Tropical Storm Beta has formed in the Gulf of Mexico 280 miles east south east of the Rio Grande Valley.
Beta is moving toward the north-northeast near 9 mph and is expected to continue on that path through Saturday. A slow westward motion is forecast to begin late Saturday or Saturday night, and this motion will likely continue into early next week.
Forecasters say the center of Beta will approach western coast of the Gulf of Mexico Sunday night and Monday.
Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 40 mph with higher gusts. The Hurricane Center says Beta could be near hurricane strength Sunday or Sunday night.
Storm surge and tropical storm or hurricane watches will likely be required for portions of the western Gulf coast tonight or on Saturday.
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Friday 7:30 a.m.
Although there was little movement overnight by tropical depression No. 22 or TD 22, the National Weather Service in Brownsville reports it could become a tropical storm later today and has the potential to become a hurricane on Sunday.
TD 22 continues its slow movement towards the north-northeastward over the next few days , then turning westward this week.
The depression has winds of 35 mph and is heading north-northeast at 6 mph.
There is still uncertainty with regards to the exact track and intensity of TD 22, the NWS stated.
When TD22 becomes a tropical storm, it will be named Alpha, out of the Greek alphabet. Tropical Storm Wilfred formed this morning in the eastern tropical atlantic.
