Tropical Storm Arthur downgrades to Post-tropical cyclone

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA (WINK) — WINK News Weather Authority Meteorologists are monitoring Tropical Storm Arthur as it moves along the Texas coastline.

While this system poses no direct threat to Southwest Florida, it serves as a reminder that the Weather Authority is tracking all tropical activity across the Atlantic Basin throughout hurricane season.

The National Hurricane Center downgraded Arthur to a post-tropical cyclone at the 11 p.m. advisory on Wednesday. Flooding rains will still be an issue across portions of the Southeastern United States through Thursday as this post-tropical cyclone continues inland. 

Wind shear continues to push much of the rain and thunderstorms east of the center, which is why it is not expected to remain at tropical storm strength for much longer. 

Arthur is forecast to be a short-lived tropical storm before moving onshore of the far eastern Texas coast later this afternoon. Regardless of its strength over the next 24 hours, it will still bring excessive rainfall to parts of Texas all the way through the Florida panhandle.

Tropical storm warnings were extended along the upper coastline around noon, along with parts of the Louisiana coast, as tropical storm force winds are forecast to impact that area over the next 12 to 24 hours. Heavy rainfall and life-threatening flash flooding will be the primary hazards through Thursday across portions of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, southwestern Georgia, and the Florida Panhandle. Some areas could continue to experience flooding concerns into the weekend. 5 to 12 inches of rain are expected over the next few days, with some areas seeing more than a foot.

For Southwest Florida, no impacts are expected from this system. However, WINK News Weather Authority Meteorologists will continue tracking Tropical Storm Arthur and all tropical developments throughout the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, bringing you the latest updates as conditions evolve. Beyond coverage on air and online, you can catch the latest each day at 12:35 PM with WINK Tracks the tropics on Facebook, YouTube, and WINKNews.com.