Tropical Storm Francine forms in the Gulf of Mexico, expected to become hurricane

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Tropical Storm Francine formed in the Gulf of Mexico on Monday.

It is expected to become a hurricane before it reaches the Texas and Louisiana coastlines on Wednesday, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The following watches and warnings are in effect:

A storm surge watch is in effect for:

• High Island Texas to the Mississippi/Alabama Border
• Vermilion Bay
• Lake Maurepas
• Lake Pontchartrain

A hurricane watch is in effect for:

• The Louisiana coast from Cameron eastward to Grand Isle

A tropical storm watch is in effect for:

• Barra del Tordo to the Mouth of the Rio Grande
• Mouth of the Rio Grande to Port Mansfield
• East of High Island Texas to Cameron, Louisiana
• West of Grand Isle to Mouth of the Pearl River
• Lake Pontchartrain
• Lake Maurepas

"It is moving mainly to the north at 5 mph, which is very slow," Nexstar's WFLA Meteorologist Eric Stone said. "Francine will have plenty of time to strengthen over the extra warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico the next couple days, so we are expecting Francine to become a hurricane by Wednesday."

Elsewhere in the tropics, low pressure in the central tropical Atlantic is expected to form into a tropical depression within the next few days. The disturbance is expected to begin moving westward-northwestward by the middle of the week.

According to NHC, the chance of formation is 60% within the next 48 hours and 60% within the next seven days.

Located several hundred miles west-southwest of Cabo Verde Island, a disturbance is producing rainfall and thunderstorms in the area.

The disturbance is expected to interact with another tropical wave within the next few days, according to NHC.

A tropical depression could form during the week as systems move. A chance of development is 60% within the next seven days.