Tropical Storm Arthur, First Of the Season, Forms Off Coast Of Florida

The National Hurricane Center has announced that a tropical depression off the east coast of Florida will likely become the first tropical storm of the season late in the day on Tuesday and perhaps a hurricane by the end of the week.

Now called Tropical Storm Arthur, the storm is expected to bring up to five inches of rain as well as strong winds to eastern parts of Florida, according to the National Hurricane Center tropical storm watch release. The center advised all small crafts to return to a port before Arthur picks up power by tonight and into Wednesday.

This is the first tropical storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, and while it is currently a minimal storm with 40mph winds, AL.com reports that it is likely to gain strength and perhaps brush North Carolina as it moves northwest.

The Atlantic hurricane season began on June 1 and will continue until November 30.