Atlantic season's first tropical storm, Alberto, expected to form over Gulf of Mexico Wednesday

The first tropical storm of the Atlantic season is expected to form over the Gulf of Mexico Wednesday, the National Hurricane Center said, giving the disturbance an 80% chance of getting the distinction. It would be named Alberto.

Forecasters said it could bring heavy rains, coastal flooding and gusty winds to the Texas and northeastern Mexico coasts through Thursday. Alberto is likely to reach the Mexican coast late Wednesday or early Thursday.

A Tropical Storm Warning was issued for the Texas coast from the San Luis Pass south to the mouth of the Rio Grande and the northeastern coast of Mexico from the Rio Grande mouth to Puerto de Altamira.