Tropical storms and hurricanes are Mother Nature's natural way of transporting excess warmth and mugginess from the tropics to the higher latitudes. Usually, we think of tropical storms and hurricanes as damaging and ravaging forces, but sometimes they can actually turn out to be a blessing in disguise. This blessing may be unfolding for portions of Texas over the next few days.

As of July 19, nearly 75% of the state of Texas is classified under the exceptional drought category. That's the worst possible level of drought and it has severely crippled agriculture in that area. The western part of the state has been extremely hard hit, with losses to crop and cattle continuing to climb. Then, we factor in Don. Right now, this storm's projected path takes it ashore on the Texas coast sometime Friday night as a tropical storm. The weakening system will continue to track off to the northwest as a tropical depression, but it will still continue ample amounts of moisture. If everything comes together just right, several inches of rain could fall across these parched portions of the Lonestar State. This wouldn't eliminate the drought, but it would help make a dent. At this point, Virginia shouldn't see any impacts from Don as its remnants ultimately dissipate over west Texas.

Elsewhere in the tropics, things are quiet. Tropical activity usually begins to ramp up in August and September as we continue to approach the peak of hurricane season.

Brantley