Latest update from the NHC on the Potential Tropical Cyclone for Wednesday, June 17

Article first published: Wednesday, June 17, 2026, 5 a.m. ET

Article last updated: Wednesday, June 17, 2026, 8 a.m. ET

System type: Potential tropical cyclone

The National Hurricane Center's 8 a.m. Wednesday advisory reported that the potential tropical cyclone is 15 miles east-southeast of Port Oconnor, Texas and 220 miles southwest of Lake Charles, Louisiana. It is moving northeast at 7 mph, with maximum sustained winds of 30 mph.

"... the low pressure area should move northeastward along the Texas coast today and then move inland over southwestern Louisiana by tonight," according to analysts. They also said "Some strengthening is forecast, and the disturbance could become a tropical storm today."

Forecasters issued a tropical storm warning for portions of the Louisiana coast.

Watches and warnings currently in effect

• Tropical Storm Warning for Sabine Pass to Morgan City
• Tropical Storm Watch for Sargent to Sabine Pass

Meaning of the different watches and warnings

A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected within the warning area, in this case within 12 to 24 hours.

A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, in this case within 12 hours.

Hazards affecting land

Rainfall. Potential Tropical Cyclone One is expected to produce rainfall totals of 5 to 10 inches, with isolated higher totals near 20 inches, through early Friday from the Mid and Upper Texas coast east-northeast into southern and central portions of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, along with western portions of Georgia and the Florida Panhandle. This could generate dangerous to life-threatening flash flooding.

For a complete forecast of rainfall associated with Potential Tropical Cyclone One, please see the National Weather Service Storm Total Rainfall Graphic available at hurricanes.gov/graphics_at1.shtml?rainqpf and the Flash Flood Risk graphic at hurricanes.gov/graphics_at1.shtml?ero.

For a list of rainfall observations (and wind reports) associated this potential tropical cyclone, see the companion storm summary at WBCSCCNS1 with the WMO header ACUS44 KWBC or at the following link: www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/discussions/nfdscc1.html.

Wind. Tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area and expected within the warning area later today.

Storm surge. The combination of a dangerous storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline. The water could reach the following heights above ground somewhere in the indicated areas if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide...

Port Bolivar, TX to Morgan City, LA...2-4 ft

The deepest water will occur along the immediate coast near and to the east of the landfall location, where the surge will be accompanied by large and dangerous waves. Surge-related flooding depends on the relative timing of the surge and the tidal cycle, and can vary greatly over short distances.

For a complete depiction of areas at risk of storm surge inundation, please see the National Weather Service Peak Storm Surge Graphic, available at hurricanes.gov/graphics_at1.shtml?peakSurge.

Surf. Swells generated by the Potential Tropical Cyclone are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions along the northwestern Gulf Coast for the next couple of days.

A depiction of rip current risk for the United States can be found at: hurricanes.gov/graphics_at1.shtml?ripCurrents

Tornado A couple of tornadoes are possible through Thursday from the Upper Texas Coast into southern Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and the western Florida Panhandle.

Source: National Hurricane Center

United Robots South Carolina

This story was originally published June 17, 2026 at 7:47 AM.