Valley starting to feel effects of Tropical Storm Alex

Although Tropical Storm Alex is some 320 miles southeast of Brownsville, the outer spiral bands of the storm are already impacting parts the Rio Grande Valley.

Rainfall is falling in Brownsville and other parts of the Valley and will continue off and on throughout the day and overnight, said Nezette Rydell, meteorologist in charge of the National Weather Service in Brownsville.

There's a 70 percent chance for rain this afternoon for the Brownsville area while a 60 percent of rain is predicted for the McAllen area.

Wind gusts of up to 35 mph are also being felt in some parts of Brownsville, officials said.

As of 1 p.m., Alex had picked up speed and is moving toward the west-northwest near 13 mph. A gradual turn toward the west-northwest is expected Wednesday.

The center of Alex will approach the coast of northeastern Mexico and Southern Texas on Wednesday with landfall expected sometime Wednesday night.

The Valley can expect to feel the impact of the actual storm itself as early as noon on Wednesday, Rydell said.