Tropical Storm Nicholas strengthened in Gulf of Mexico on Monday as it aims for landfall on the central Texas coast. Meanwhile, the Atlantic is noisy, with two other disturbances causing a commotion.

       First, Nicholas is about 35 miles south-southwest of Matagorda, Texas. The 14th named storm of the season is now moving north-northeast at 12 mph with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph, according to the NHC’s 8 p.m. update.

       “Some additional strengthening is possible during the next few hours, and Nicholas could become a hurricane when it reaches the Texas coast,” said NHC senior hurricane specialist Richard Pasch. “Weakening is anticipated on Tuesday and Wednesday while Nicholas moves over land.”

       Tropical storm warnings and watches remain in effect from Baffin Bay on the south Texas coast to the Texas-Louisiana border.

       The system brings threats of 6-12 inches of rain with some isolated areas of up to 18 inches, with threat of flash flooding across portions of the upper Texas Gulf Coast and far southwestern Louisiana. Storm surge up to 5 feet is in some parts of the coast as well as possible tornadoes remain a threat as well.

       Tropics 09/13/21 (The National Hurricane Center)

       The NHC is also monitoring two tropical waves with the potential of becoming the next tropical depression or storm.

       The closest one to Florida is a low that is expected to form near the southeastern Bahamas in the next few days, with a 50% chance of formation by late this week. A 10% chance is also possible by Wednesday as it moves northwest across the Atlantic. It’s still unclear what impact, if any, it will have on the Sunshine State.

       A tropical wave is expected to emerge off the west coast of Africa in the next few days and has a 40% chance of formation in the next 48 hours and an 80% chance of formation by next week.

       If these systems form into tropical storms, they would be named Tropical Storm Odette and Tropical Storm Peter. The 2021 season has already seen 14 named systems, including five hurricanes, three of which have been major hurricanes of Category 3 strength or higher.

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