The first cyclone of the 2011 Atlantic storm season, Tropical Storm Arlene, made landfall today along Mexico's Gulf Coast, according to the Miami-based National Hurricane Center.

As of 10:00 AM CDT (1500 UTC) the storm's center was located inland just west of Cabo Rojo in Mexico's Veracruz state and moving in a westward to southwestward motion with maximum sustained winds near 65 MPR (100KM/H) with higher gusts. The nearby states of Tamaulipas and San Luis Potosi were also in the storm's path.

The tropical storm force winds extend outward of 140 miles (220km) mainly over water to the east of the center.

The storm is not expected to grow into a hurricane and weakening was forecast during the next 24 to 36 hours as the storm passes over the Mexican mainland. It is expected to dissipate over the mountains of Central Mexico by Friday night.

In Veracruz, Governor Javier Duarte de Ochoa asked for the central government to declare a state of emergency in order to access disaster funding, according to a statement on the state website.

Heavy rainfall will be the biggest concern with total accumulations of up to 8 inches over Eastern and Northeastern Mexico with isolated maximum amounts of up to 15 inches over mountainous terrain. These rains could cause life-threatening flash floods and mudslides.

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