Jul 27, 2011

Tags:"Tropical Storm Bret","Tropical Storm Don","Tropical Storm Don" Tropics Weather Meteorology.,"Tropical Storm Emily",Alberto,AO,Beryl,Bud,Carlotta,Earthquake,East Pacific,El Nino,Hurricane Irene,Hurricane Season 2011,Hurricane Season 2012,La Nina,Meteorology,NAO,Tropical,Tropical Depression Thirteen,Tropical Storm Alberto.,Tropics,Tropics Alberto Two-E,Weather,Winter

The hurricane hunter aircraft has found a closed circulation and high enough sustained winds (40 mph) to classify what was Invest 90L as Tropical Storm Don. This system will likely impact the TX coast directly Friday into Saturday. Unfortunately current model guidance shows a considerable spread as to the exact point of landfall so all coastal residents of TX should keep an eye on this system.

It is important to remember intensity forecasts are often not nearly as good as track predictions. The official forecast has Don making landfall as a strong tropical storm but the general rule of thumb is to prepare for one category higher than expected. In this case it would be best to be ready for a category 1 hurricane. Stay tuned for future updates!