Forecasters say Tropical Storm Arlene is slowly organizing and is expected to strengthen in the Gulf of Mexico as it moves toward Mexico.

Tropical storm warnings have been issued in Mexico for the northeastern coast from Barra De Nautla north to Bahia Algodones. The storm is expected to make landfall in northeastern Mexico early Thursday.

The National Hurricane Center in Miami says Arlene is about 175 miles east of Tampico, Mexico, on Wednesday. The storm has maximum sustained winds of 40 mph and is moving west-northwest near 8 mph. Arlene is the first named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season.

The main threat to Mexico is heavy rains that could cause flash floods and mudslides. Forecasters say extreme south Texas also could get rain.