The 2023 hurricane season already has its first named storm. Tropical Storm Arlene formed Friday, the second day of the six-month hurricane season, in the Gulf of Mexico.
It was centered about 265 miles west of Fort Myers on Friday afternoon, according to the National Hurricane Center.
The storm, with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph, was moving south at 5 mph toward the western end of Cuba.
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Arlene was expected to weaken because of wind shear and dry air, but central and southern portions of Florida were expected to see rain through Saturday, with some areas getting up to 5 inches.
That could result in isolated flash, urban, and small-stream flooding.
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