Tropical Storm Beryl was picking up strength Sunday evening on its march toward the Texas coast as forecasters warned the storm would regain hurricane status and slam ashore early Monday, potentially as a Category 2.
"Hurricane hunters find Beryl slightly stronger," the National Hurricane Center said in its 7 p.m. CT update, which noted the storm's sustained winds had increased to 70 mph, 4 short of a Category 1 hurricane.
Beryl's impacts − such as strong winds, heavy rain, and rough seas − will begin in coastal Texas well before landfall, the center warned. "Winds are first expected to reach tropical storm strength by late today (Sunday), making outdoor preparations difficult or dangerous," the center said.