Houston Forecast: Tropical Storm Cristobal Is In The Gulf

HOUSTON — Tropical Storm ‘Cristobal’ formed in the southern Gulf of Mexico this morning. This is the earliest we have had the third name storm form on record, and records go back to 1851.    

Hurricane Hunters flew into Tropical Depression 3 earlier today and found max sustained winds at 40 mph which means that this system was officially a Tropical Storm.   A tropical depression needs to have sustained winds of at least 39 mph to hit “tropical storm” status.  If it strengthens to winds sustained of at least 74 mph, Cristobal would be upgraded to a hurricane.

The official forecast cone from the Hurricane Center keeps it at tropical storm force as it nears the Texas or Louisiana coast on Sunday.

It’s too early to tell exactly who will be at risk from this storm, so it is important everyone along the Gulf Coast pays close attention to the forecast this week. 

A track similar to this could bring tropical storm conditions to the upper Texas coast, including Galveston, on Sunday.

I would urge you and your family to watch the weather with us twice a day, and use the KHOU 11 app to get updates on the go, just in case the system strengthens and decides to head our way. 

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TRACK THE WEATHER: Houston weather radar

RELATED: Eye on the Gulf: Tropical disturbance now has 80% chance for development

HOUSTON 7 DAY FORECAST