Gert Not Coming To Gulf. Another Wasted Name. Harold Up next.

It's easy to question why storms are named or not, but Tropical Storm Gert really has me puzzled     NHC upgraded TD 6 over night to T.S. Gert yet at their next update, mentioned it is falling apart.  Huh?  Why quickly name something so far away from any land areas?  You be the judge.

Gert is between Franklin & what's left of Emily.  Emily has a well defined swirl of low clouds, but all the T-Storms are gone and NHC has issued its last advisory on her.  Franklin has a large cloud cluster all around his eastern side.  He will impact Hispaniola.  But where is Gert?

When you hear we have more named storms now than in the past, you can see why.  In the meantime, PTC (Potential Tropical Cyclone) # 9 has formed down in the Gulf and will become Harold before reaching the Texas coast.

NHC indicates PTC #9 does not yet have a well defined low level circulation, but is expected to gradually develop, hence they have issued TS warnings for the lower Texas coast.

Since this system hasn't closed off, we are seeing some much needed showers skirt the South Shore.  The only other impacts for Louisiana are increased winds and seas and slightly less hot temps.

Enjoy the brief relief from the heat, as the rest of this week goes back into the Oven.  Next update at 4 PM.