While a Gulf disturbance that moved into Texas on Friday seems to have run its course, Hurricane Erin in the western Atlantic intensifies.

If this storm becomes more organized before it moves over land, it would become Tropical Storm Fernand. A potential tropical storm in the Gulf of Mexico could form and make landfall in Texas or Mexico before Erin even threatens land.

Tropical Storm Erin is expected to become a hurricane later today, Aug. 15, and a Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph over the weekend. A major hurricane is a Category 3 or stronger, with maximum sustained winds of at least 111 mph.

Louisiana and other northern portions of the Gulf Coast aren't expected to see any effects from the system or any other tropical activity for the next few days.

As the Gulf disturbance nears Texas, tropical moisture will surge Friday and Saturday in the Houston metro area, leading to increasing storm chances.

The center of a tropical disturbance that flared up in the Gulf began to move across land on Friday, bringing heavy rainfall to parts of northeastern Mexico and South Texas.

Invest 98L, the tropical system that emerged near Mexico early Wednesday, Aug. 13, is tracking toward Texas. Will it impact the state?

Though Erin is not currently forecast to make landfall in the U.S., the East Coast could still get heavy rainfall associated with the storm, along with the northern Leeward Islands, the British Virgin Islands and southern and eastern Puerto Rico. Isolated flash flooding, landslides and mudslides are possible.

Austin's summer doldrums continue with heat, sunshine and little rain. However, we are watching tropical activity that will move inland this weekend.

A westward-moving tropical wave could produce an area of low pressure in the tropical Atlantic late in the week of Aug. 18, the hurricane center said on Aug. 16. The center shows a 20% chance of storm formation over the next week.