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Livestock Wx for Aug. 24, 2017: Livestock Wx discusses Hurricane Harvey and potential coastal and inland impacts from the storm.
| Gulf Mexico Interactive Tropical Tracking Map from Blue Water Outlook |
| Track the developing tropical system in the Gulf of Mexico here. |
Tropical Storm Harvey has intensified overnight with maximum winds near 60 mph. [Editor: As of 1:00 p.m. Thursday, Harvey became a hurricane with 80 mph winds.] Harvey is moving north at 10 mph and is expected to become a hurricane and approach the Texas coast on Friday.
Recent Rain Events & Status of Soil Moisture
Areas immediately inland from landfall have been very dry (red/white). The first 3-4 inches of rain (depending on rainfall rate) will be absorbed into the dry soils. However, rainfall totals likely will significantly exceed soil saturation rates leading towards significant and prolonged runoff.
Assessment of Extreme Rain & Inland Flood Potential
Despite initially dry soils, Harvey poses a significant risk for inland flooding—widespread pooling of water, urban flooding, flash flooding, and river flooding across the Gulf Coast. Refer to official NOAA sources for detailed watches, warnings, advisories, and forecasts.
Slow or Erratic Motion
Perhaps the most significant factor leading towards the possibility of extreme rainfall is a slowing and/or erratic movement right after landfall and before the system is picked up by the jet stream and transported out of the area. There are signs that rainfall from Harvey could linger for days over the same spots.
