Tropical Storm Arlenethe first-named storm of the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season, formed Friday afternoon in the Gulf of Mexicoindicated the US National Hurricane Center.

According to hurricane center forecasts, the storm is expected to remain offshore and have minimal impact on Florida or any land area as it winds south into the Gulf.

“The biggest threat expected from Arlene is the possibility of heavy rain in parts of south and central Florida through Saturday.the hurricane center wrote in a report this afternoon.

Florida residents could see 1 to 3 inches of rain through Saturday, with up to 6 inches possible in some places, it said. vs today.

As of 5 p.m., Arlene maximum sustained winds remained at 40 mph, with higher wind gusts.

The center of Arlene was about 150 miles west of Fort Myers, Florida. It was moving south-southeast at 7 mph.

The storm is expected to weaken Friday night, and is expected to slip into a low on Saturday.