HARLINGEN — Forecasters have issued a high surf advisory for Texas coastal waters from Brownsville to Baffin Bay.
Tropical Storm Franklin, expected to strengthen to a hurricane by the time it makes landfall in central Mexico on Thursday, will result in gulf surf from five to seven feet with a high risk of rip currents.
Some coastal flooding is also forecast, with tidal overwash of beach dunes likely a few hours either side of high tide Thursday at 6:50 a.m. and again at 4 p.m.
Surf will begin building tonight from three to five feet along gulf beaches which will create hazardous swimming and beach conditions.
The advisory will be in effect from 7 p.m. tonight through 6 p.m. Thursday.
Franklin is moving toward the west at 13 mph, and this general motion is expected to continue for the next 24 to 36 hours.
Additional strengthening is expected, and Franklin is forecast to become a hurricane later today and reach the coast of Mexico as a hurricane tonight or early Thursday. Rapid weakening is expected after landfall in Mexico.
The storm’s outer bands will bring an increased chance of showers and thunderstorms tonight and Thursday.
