Tropical Storm Arlene forms in Gulf; not likely to threaten U.S.

Forecasters say Tropical Storm Arlene has formed in the Gulf of Mexico but is not likely to threaten the U.S. coast.

The government of Mexico on Tuesday issued Tropical Storm warnings for the northeastern coast from Barra De Nautla north to Bahia Algodones. The storm is predicted to hug much of the coast over the next few days.

The National Hurricane Center in Miami says Arlene is about 280 miles east-southeast of Tampico, Mexico. The center had maximum sustained winds of 40 mph. It is the first named storm in the Atlantic this season.
 
The main threat to Mexico is heavy rains that could cause flash floods and mudslides. Forecasters say extreme south Texas also could get some rain from the system.