ATLANTA — Nicholas made landfall at 1:30 a.m. Tuesday morning as a Category 1 hurricane near Matagorda, Texas according to the National Hurricane Center with winds of 75 miles per hour and gusts to 80 miles per hour.
As of the 11 a.m. advisory, it remains a tropical storm near Houston with winds of 45 miles per hour and higher gusts. The storm is slowing down.
Tropical systems are steered by larger prevailing winds and weather systems. In the case of Nicholas, the storm loses its steering currents and comes to a snail's pace and screeching halt. It will be a big rainmaker with significant flash flooding possible. Tropical downpours and heavy rains can be expected along southeast Texas, Louisiana, and lower Mississippi over the next three days. There will be many areas with rain totals of 4 to 8 inches and locally higher amounts possible.
The wind flow around Nicholas will bring enhanced tropical moisture to North Georgia and return of daily scattered storms later in the week.
Hurricane Season is at its peak, and there are other areas in the Atlantic Basin that the National Hurricane Center is monitoring for potential development. We could have Odette by the end of the week!