Tropical Storm Harold makes landfall in Texas, marking the first US landfall of the Atlantic hurricane season

(CNN) — Tropical Storm Harold made landfall on the South Texas coast late Tuesday morning, becoming the first storm to make a US landfall in the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season.

Harold came ashore on Padre Island, Texas, with sustained winds of 50 mph and higher gusts. Heavy rain and strong winds will continue to slam portions of South Texas and Mexico and areas farther inland as Harold tracks westward Tuesday afternoon and evening.

Tropical storm warnings have been issued from the mouth of the Rio Grande to Port O’ Connor, Texas, with tropical storm watches in effect from Port O’Connor to Sargent, Texas.

Harold will be able to dump 3 to 5 inches of rain across South Texas on Tuesday and Wednesday with locally higher amounts closer to 7 inches. Across Mexico, 4 to 6 inches of rain are expected.

Tropical-storm-force winds will occur in and around where Harold makes landfall midday Tuesday with sustained winds of 40-50 mph and gusts up to 65 mph likely. As the storm moves inland Tuesday afternoon, wind speeds may ease up slightly but locally-damaging gusts of 30-40 mph will still be possible.