HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The National Hurricane Center says Tropical Storm Arlene has formed in the eastern coast of the Gulf of Mexico.

As of 1 p.m. Arlene is moving toward the south near 5 mph and this movement is expected to increase slightly through tonight.

The tropical storm’s maximum sustained winds have increased to near 40 mph with higher gusts. Arlene is expected to weaken by tonight, and it is forecast to degenerate into a remnant low on Saturday.

Tropical-storm-force winds extend outwards up to 70 miles northeast from the middle of the center.

This GOES-East GeoColor satellite image taken Friday, June 2, 2023 at 1:21 p.m. EDT., and provided by NOAA, shows Tropical Storm Arlene, the first named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, in the Gulf of Mexico off the west coast of Florida. (NOAA via AP)

Arlene is expected to be blown south by prevailing winds forcing the seasons first, gulf storm toward Cuba by Sunday.

Tropical Strom Arlene is following a predictable pattern since the eastern Gulf of Mexico is a historical spawning ground for early storm development.

For the latest forecasts, download the Valley Storm Team app.

And you can track the tropics by watching our hurricane special “Your Guide to Hurricane Season” right here.