Disturbance in Gulf could become tropical storm by Wednesday, NHC says

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TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) -- The National Hurricane Center began issuing advisories on Potential Tropical Cyclone One in the western Gulf of Mexico.

A tropical storm watch has been issued for the Texas coast between Port O'Connor and the Rio Grande, plus northeastern Mexico, according to the NHC.

As of 11 p.m., the "poorly defined disturbance" was located near the Bay of Campeche, moving north-northwest at 7 mph. The system is expected to turn toward the west-northwest Tuesday night or Wednesday, approaching the western Gulf Coast late Wednesday.

Winds were recorded at about 40 mph, according to the NHC. The system is expected to slowly strengthen and could become a tropical storm on Wednesday. If it does, it would be named Alberto.

"Users are reminded to not focus on the exact forecast track of this system," the NHC said. "The disturbance is very large with rainfall, coastal flooding, and wind impacts likely to occur far from the center along the coasts of Texas and northeastern Mexico."

The National Hurricane Center said moderate flooding is possible along much of the Texas coast starting early Tuesday. Parts of the coast could see between 2-4 feet of storm surge.

"Regardless of whether Potential Tropical Cyclone One forms into Alberto, as the storm moves northwestward, Texas will be doused with very heavy rainfall and potential flooding," Max Defender 8 Chief Meteorologist Jeff Berardelli said. "Around 5-10 inches of widespread rain is likely through the weekend."

The system will not impact the Tampa Bay area.

The NHC is also monitoring a second tropical wave several hundreds of miles east of the Bahamas. That wave has a 30% chance of formation within the next seven days.