Tropical Storm Zeta has strengthened overnight and is almost a hurricane. Additional strengthening is expected before Zeta moves over the Yucatan Peninsula tonight. At this time, Zeta is not anticipated to threaten Southeast Texas with a forecast turn to the north on Wednesday in the central Gulf of Mexico. As always with Gulf of Mexico systems, continue to monitor the forecasts from the National Hurricane Center.
On its current forecast track, Zeta is expected to reach hurricane strength later this morning while moving to the northwest and eventually cross the northern Yucatan Peninsula. Zeta is expected to maintain hurricane strength while gradually turning to the north through Wednesday morning and might remain a hurricane before making a U.S. landfall near the eastern Louisiana-Mississippi-Alabama area on Wednesday. A storm system and associated cold front moving into the area from the west will help Zeta make its northward and eventual northeastward turn, but any timing or strength changes with this system could result in different intensity and track forecasts.
Based on the current National Hurricane Center forecast, an increase in winds, wave heights and rip current risk is anticipated across the upper Texas coastal waters. Continue to monitor Zeta’s progress and forecast over the next couple days.
