Tropical Storm Beta crawling toward the Gulf Coast

A slow-moving Tropical Storm Beta formed in the Gulf of Mexico on Friday, carrying the potential for heavy rains and flooding along the Texas coast.

The system strengthened into a tropical storm Friday afternoon, becoming the 23rd named storm of the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season. Wilfred was the last of 21 names selected for this season. In the case where all 21 names are used — which, before Friday, hadn’t occurred in 15 years — storms are named using the Greek alphabet.

Wilfred, Alpha and Beta received their names Friday.

As of 4 p.m., Tropical Storm Beta was forecast to move north through Saturday and then shift to the west, where the storm's center could approach South Texas or the Coastal Bend regions on Sunday night and Monday.

It could be near hurricane strength Sunday or Sunday night.

It is then expected to track slowly up the Texas coast, prompting the National Hurricane Center to warn of an increasing risk of heavy rainfall and flooding along the northwest Gulf Coast from Sunday through at least the middle of next week.

A presentation from the National Weather Service’s Houston/Galveston office said its most immediate concern was minor to moderate coastal flooding.

And while it's too early to determine what areas of Texas could see direct wind and storm surge, the Houston/Galveston office said Texans should prepare for significant beach erosion, possible water inundation in some beach and bay communities, and poor street drainage.

As of 4 p.m., Tropical Storm Wilfred was in the east Atlantic Ocean and was not expected to make landfall. Subtropical Storm Alpha had made landfall in Portugal and was expected to dissipate Saturday, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season continues through Nov. 30. It’s the first time since 2005 that the Greek alphabet has been required. There were 27 named storms in 2005.