Tropical Storm Beryl Intensifies as it Aims for Texas, We Stay Hot and Humid with Scattered Late Day Storms

Parts of the area had drenching - even flooding - thunderstorms yesterday evening, mainly along and west of I-95. Other parts, especially east of I-95, had little or no rain. We will continue to have the chance of scattered thunderstorms for the next several days, mainly in the late afternoon and evening hours each day. Odds are good that all of us pick up at least some needed rain this week. Between now and Thursday night, the GFS computer model shows totals of two to three inches across Dillon, Marion and Marlboro counties:

Other computer models are not as generous, but all point to at least a better chance of rain than we have been seeing over the past many weeks. Any rain will be great news! Temperature-wise, it will be hot. Highs each day will be in the low to mid 90s, so a slight edge off of yesterday's 100+ heat. High humidity will continue as well.

Tropical Storm Beryl is getting more organized and starting to strengthen a little. The wind shear that helped to tear the storm down a good bit a couple of days ago (along with the land influence of passing over the Yukatan) is much less now, and the water Beryl will be passing over is very warm. That combination should allow Beryl to strengthen back to a hurricane before landfall on central Texas coast tomorrow. The forecast is for a category one storm at landfall, but the National Hurricane Center is suggesting Texas prepare for a category two because rapid strengthening is possible tonight and tomorrow prior to landfall. Maximum sustained winds as of the 2 pm advisory are 65 mph. Here are the latest satellite loops of Beryl, and the latest forecast track from the NHC. In the satellite loops you can see the improving structure of the storm, and that is helping set the stage for the expected strengthening.