First tropical storm forms close to Mexican coast

(CNS): Tropical storm Arlene, the first of the 2011 season, formed at around 7pm (CDT) in the south-western corner of the Gulf of Mexico Tuesday. The National Hurricane centre said Arlene had formed only 240 miles east of Tuxpan, Mexico. The season’s first storm had already reached winds of 40 mph with higher gusts when the NHC issued its first bulletin. The centre warned that some strengthening was forecast during the next day or so as the cyclone heads towards land. Tropical Storm Arlene was moving toward the west-northwest near 7 mph and forecasters said a turn toward the west was expected with the storm reaching the coast by Thursday.

Tropical storm force winds currently extend outward up to 115 miles and the storm, when it hits land is expected to produce total rainfall accumulations of 4 to 8 inches over the Mexican states of Tamaulipas and Veracruz with possible isolated maximum amounts of 12 inches over mountainous terrain.  With tropical storm conditions expected to be affecting the warning area by Wednesday the NHC said there was little time for people to prepare. The NHC said a tropical storm warning is in effect for Barra de Nautla to Bahia Algodones where tropical storm conditions are expected within the next 36 hours.