Upon forming, the storm moved to the west-northwest along the southern periphery of a low- to mid-level ridge over the northern Gulf of Mexico. Due to generally favorable conditions, including warm waters and light to moderate wind shear, the NHC predicted steady intensification to winds of at least 65 mph (100 km/h). However, none of the tropical cyclone forecast models anticipated much strengthening. Initially, Don failed to intensify significantly due to a misalignment between the lower and mid-level circulations. The wind shear in the region further exposed the circulation from the convection late on July 28, although the winds increased slightly. Early on July 29, Don attained peak winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) as reported by the Hurricane Hunters, and the storm maintained that intensity while moving across the Gulf of Mexico. As Don approached the Texas coast early on July 30, the thunderstorms rapidly diminished due to the combination of wind shear, drier air, and cooler sea surface temperatures just offshore. The winds decreased as the convection dissipated, and Don made landfall on Padre Island National Seashore as a tropical depression at 0230 UTC on July 30. About three and a half hours later, Don degenerated into a remnant low, and the circulation dissipated six hours after that. Preparations and impact The state civil protection agency in Quintana Roo warned that the tropical wave from which Don formed was capable of dropping of rainfall over the state, while producing sustained winds of and gusts up to . After Don was designated as a tropical storm, the Yucatán state government issued a green-level alert. The alert indicated that although the tropical storm was located close to the state, it was only considered to be slightly dangerous. Late on July 27, the National Hurricane Center issued a tropical storm watch from Port Mansfield to San Luis Pass in Texas. Six hours later, the tropical storm watch was extended southwards to the international border. After the storm was named, officials in Texas began making preparations for Don. The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston issued a level one alert for Don, and city officials began preparing for a possible evacuation. On July 27, oil companies throughout the western Gulf of Mexico began removing non-essential personnel from their rigs and platforms in preparation for Don. The next day, BP, Royal Dutch Shell, Anadarko Petroleum and Apache Corporation announced the evacuations of