Tropical Storm Barry forms in Gulf

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — One month into the Atlantic hurricane season, a tropical storm has developed in the Gulf of America, also commonly known as the Gulf of Mexico.

The National Hurricane Center reports that an aircraft has indicated the depression in the Bay of Campeche has become Tropical Storm Barry.

Heavy rains will fall over eastern Mexico over the next several days and Valley Storm Team chief meteorologist Bryan Hale says the Rio Grande Valley will benefit from those rains.

^{(Source: National Hurricane Center)}

“Tropical Storm Barry will make landfall near Tampico, Mexico. The good news comes as the storm pushes more rain our way today through Tuesday,” Hale said. “The Valley will get all the benefits of the tropical storm without any of the direct risks associated with storms,”

As of noon, Barry is located about 165 miles east-southeast of Tampico with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph. The minimum central pressure is 1006 mb.

The storm is moving toward the northwest at nearly 6 mph and this path is expected to continue for the rest of the day.

Tropical Storm Barry is forecast to make landfall later today or tonight and continue to move over eastern Mexico.

Some areas of Mexico, including Veracruz, San Luis Potosi and Tamaulipas, can expect 3 to 6 inches of rain, with isolated areas receiving up to 10 inches. The rain could cause flooding and mudslides in areas with steep terrain.

At the moment, the National Hurricane Center has issued no watches or warnings that would impact South Texas.