Another Tropical Storm May Develop in the Western Gulf of Mexico Next Week

Jon Erdman
Published: August 30,2017
Another tropical storm may form in the Gulf of Mexico next week, just one week after Hurricane Harvey left its siege of record rain, flooding and damage from storm surge and high winds in southeast Texas and Louisiana.
(FULL COVERAGE ON HARVEY: Hurricane Central)
For now, there isn't anything to be immediately concerned about.
A weak trough of surface low pressure extends over the western Gulf of Mexico, reinforced to some extent by the outer winds from Harvey.
A trough features winds that generally converge, but there's no low-pressure circulation. Furthermore, any showers near this trough aren't persisting or organized.
(MORE: How You Can Help Harvey Victims)

Latest Gulf of Mexico Infrared Satellite Image

Next week, however, an area of low pressure could form in this general area of the western Gulf of Mexico, off the eastern Mexican coast.
If thunderstorms can persist and cluster near this low-pressure center, taking advantage of deep, warmer-than-average Gulf of Mexico water undisturbed by Hurricane Harvey, we could get another tropical depression or tropical storm to form.
The next named Atlantic storm would be named Jose.

Potential setup next week.

Many Unknowns

Unfortunately, there are few details meteorologists can say with any certainty right now.
The range of possible outcomes with this system spans the gamut from a stronger tropical storm or hurricane with impacts somewhere along the Gulf Coast to a weaker system remaining stuck in the southwest Gulf of Mexico.
So it remains unclear if this system, assuming it develops, would ever affect any of the Harvey-ravaged areas of southeast Texas and Louisiana, much less other areas of the Gulf Coast.
(IMAGES: Before/After Harvey Aerials)
Check back with us at weather.com for the latest on this potential system, Harvey's forecast and aftermath, and newly-formed Irma in the eastern Atlantic Ocean.
It's always a good time before the storm to make sure you have a plan in case a hurricnae threatens. The non-profit Federal Alliance for Safe Homes has an excellent site to help you develop a plan.

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