Could there be a tropical storm in the Gulf? Will it affect Alabama?
The system is expected to bring a lot of rain with it to parts of the South.
Mason Reed 
The Gulf of Mexico is showing signs of activity as meteorologists track an area of low pressure currently situated over south Texas. As of Tuesday, the National Hurricane Center is monitoring this system, which now faces a small window of opportunity to evolve into the first named storm of the 2026 Atlantic season: Arthur.
Tracking Potential Development
The probability of this system developing into a short-lived, weak tropical storm has risen to 60 percent, up from 50 percent on Monday. For the system to officially earn a name, it must develop a defined center of circulation and sustain winds of at least 39 mph. Hurricane center experts anticipate the system moving over Gulf waters later today, with a projected path toward the Texas or Louisiana coast.
Impacts on Alabama and the South
While the center of the system is not expected to make landfall in Alabama, the state is still in for a soggy week. Moisture pulled north from the Gulf is set to boost rain chances across the region, creating a window for severe weather and flash flooding from today through Thursday. The National Weather Service estimates that some parts of Alabama could see 7 inches of rainfall or more.
Beyond Alabama, the system poses a significant flood risk for Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. The National Hurricane Center warned that residents in these areas should prepare for intense, life-threatening rainfall, as well as potential gusty winds and coastal flooding. Depending on the system's progression, tropical storm watches or warnings could be issued as early as today.
Hurricane Season Outlook
This active weather serves as a reminder that we are currently in the thick of the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 through November 30. Despite this early activity, NOAA current projections suggest a quieter-than-average year, with fewer named storms compared to the typical season that features 14 named storms, seven hurricanes, and three major hurricanes. For the latest on the local forecast, you can follow the latest updates from 205focus.com here.
