Storm tracker: See latest details, possible path as tropical storm warning issued in Texas

The first named tropical storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season is likely forming in the Gulf of Mexico.

Tropical storm warnings have been issued for parts of the Texas coast for a storm churning in the Gulf, Potential Tropical Cyclone One. If the system does become a tropical storm, it'll be named Alberto.

Heavy, potentially flooding rain is expected across the western Gulf Coast, the National Hurricane Center said Monday, with as much as 15 inches possible. The heavy rainfall and flash flooding threat is predicted to intensify into Tuesday morning, according to National Hurricane Center Director Michael Brennan.

A tropical storm watch has been issued for the Texas coast from Port O'Connor southward to the mouth of the Rio Grande. The watch means tropical storm conditions are possible within the area, generally within 48 hours.

The National Hurricane Center warned the system is very large: with tropical-storm-force winds extending outward up to 290 miles to the northeast of the center.

AccuWeather is predicting over half a foot of rain across parts of the Texas and Louisiana coasts, with up to 30 inches possible in the hardest-hit areas.

"Very warm waters in this area of the Gulf, as well as low wind shear will make this a conducive environment for the tropical rainstorm to strengthen," said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dan Pydynowski.

First alert of 2024 hurricane season: Tropical storm watch on Texas coast

Atlantic storm tracker

Potential Tropical Cyclone One path tracker

This forecast track shows the most likely path of the center of the storm. It does not illustrate the full width of the storm or its impacts, and the center of the storm is likely to travel outside the cone up to 33% of the time.

Potential Cyclone One spaghetti models

Illustrations include an array of forecast tools and models, and not all are created equal. The hurricane center uses only the top four or five highest performing models to help make its forecasts.

Contributing: Doyle Rice, USA TODAY; Cheryl McCloud, USA TODAY Network-Florida

Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Storm strengthening in Gulf: Tracker, projected path, spaghetti models