Tropical Storm Alberto threatens Texas and Mexico with flooding rains

• The National Weather Service forecast the storm would make landfall in Mexico around Thursday morning, with impacts extending into southern Texas north of its center of circulation.

Threat level: "Alberto is very large with rainfall, coastal flooding, and wind impacts likely to occur far from the center along the coasts of Texas and northeastern Mexico," the National Hurricane Center said in a forecast discussion.

• The NWS warned of tropical-storm-force winds and storm surge, heavy rain and flooding concerns over Wednesday night.

State of play: Moderate coastal flooding "is occurring right now across the Texas/Louisiana coastline," the NWS' Houston office noted on Wednesday evening.

• "Numerous reports of inundation have been received spanning locations from High Island to the Matagorda Ship Channel. Many roadways have become impassable due to water and debris," it added in the forecast discussion.
• Rainfall amounts of 5-10 inches were expected into South Texas and moderate coastal flooding is likely along the coast through Thursday and coastal flood warnings will remain in effect until 7pm local time that day.
• Officials in Houston reported the tropical weather was already affecting southeastern Texas by Wednesday afternoon.

Between the lines A confluence of factors that influence hurricane activity are expected to cause a near-record season, Axios' Andrew Freedman previously reported.

• A record-warm North Atlantic Ocean basin along with La Niña's climate cycle push are contributing to the forecasts.
• An active West African monsoon season could also send clusters of thunderstorms westward, which can develop into tropical storms and hurricanes.

What we're watching: If the season plays out as projected, it would present an opening for the atmosphere to show off the climate change-linked trends, per Freedman.

Go deeper: "It's not just one factor:" Why this hurricane season could be so prolific

Editor's note: This article has been updated to reflect the Texas governor's declaration and with the latest forecast details.