Arthur becomes first tropical storm of 2026 hurricane season

First named storm: File photo. Tropical Storm Arthur became the first named system of the 2026 Atlantic basin hurricane season. (Bryan R. Smith/AFP via Getty Images)

Tropical Storm Arthur swirled to life in the Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday, the first named storm of the 2026 Atlantic basin hurricane season.

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According to the National Hurricane Center, Arthur developed near the Middle Texas coast.

At 11 a.m. ET, the center of the storm was located about 40 miles east-northeast of Port O’Connor, Texas, and approximately 190 miles west-southwest of Lake Charles, Louisiana.

Maximum sustained winds of 40 mph were clocked by the hurricane center, just 5 mph above the speed needed to name a tropical system.

The storm was moving to the northeast at 9 mph.

A tropical storm warning was in effect from High Island, Texas to Morgan City, Louisiana, the hurricane center said.

The NHC will issue an intermediate advisory at 2 p.m. ET.

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