After watching a large area of low pressure in the Gulf this week, today we get our fourth named storm of the season, Debby. No matter where this storm heads, our coastal residents and vacationers will feel the effects all week. We'll have elevated tides and surf with beach erosion. The amount of erosion depends how close Debby gets to us. We'll also have dangerous rip currents. Surfers love this kind of storm because it's one of the few times during the year they get big waves. However, if you aren't an experienced swimmer, the surf can be extremely dangerous. If you are out in Galveston this week, try and swim in front of the lifeguards.
While there are a couple of models that steer this toward Florida, those models are now in the minority and a westward turn is likely Monday. The key to watch this upcoming work week is the area of high pressure north of Texas. If the high remains strong it will move Debby well south of us and our effect on land will be minimal. However, if the high flattens, weakens or even moves east just a little it will steer Debby closer to Southeast Texas and we'll feel it! It is possible that we'll take a direct hit from a strong tropical storm with 60 to 70 mph winds, or even a category one hurricane. If we don't take a direct hit but the storm is close, we'll have to deal with being on the dirty side of a storm. That means we'll get more and heavier rain with stronger wind gusts. If we take a direct hit or get rain from Debby it would be Wednesday or Thursday this week. Plan accordingly and remember to watch the Severe Weather Team all week. You can also follow us with on Twit?ter @local2weather. See you Monday morning on TV.
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I did want to mention an interesting note: Debby is the earliest 4th storm in the historical records... Surpassing Hurricane Dennis of 2005... Which became a tropical storm on July 5th.