Marine Tropical Storm — Baffin Bay and Upper Laguna Madre, Gulf of Mexico

2023-08-22 · Baffin Bay and Upper Laguna Madre, Gulf of Mexico

Event narrative

Satellite and radar observations indicated tropical storm force wind gusts occurred over the region as Tropical Storm Harold moved toward a landfall south of Baffin Bay. Mesonet observations indicated tropical storm force wind gusts occurred. Winds gusted as high as 58 knots (67 mph) at Loyola Beach and 48 knots at Baffin Bay.

Wider weather episode

Tropical Storm Harold moved west across the coastal waters of the Middle Texas coast on the 22nd. An area of low pressure developed over the central Gulf of Mexico on the 21st. A large area of high pressure over the central United States into the northern Gulf Coast steered the system quickly westward toward the Middle Texas coast. The low strengthened into Tropical Storm Harold by the early morning hours of the 22nd. Harold increased in strength and made landfall south of Baffin Bay as a 50 mph tropical storm during the late morning.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1134147. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.