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.

Hurricane Erin has decreased to a Category 3 after strengthening to a Category 5 on its northwestern path across the Atlantic Saturday morning.

North Texas experienced a typical summer day with mostly sunny skies and a slight chance of overnight showers. Similar conditions are expected tomorrow. Meanwhile, Hurricane Erin rapidly intensified overnight,

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

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.

A short-lived tropical depression could form near the Texas coastline on Friday, according to the National Hurricane Center. Invest 98-L is producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms at about 75 miles off the coast of the southern Texas coastline.