Tropical Depression Two forms in the Gulf of Mexico, could become Arlene

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - The first tropical cyclone of the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season formed Thursday afternoon, on the first day of hurricane season.

As of 4 p.m. Tuesday, the National Hurricane Center began issuing advisories on Tropical Depression Two. The storm was located just over 300 miles west of Fort Myers, Florida with maximum sustained winds at 35 miles per hour.

TD #2 is expected to become Arlene and then exit the Gulf the way most storms come in. 🤣🤣 @FOX8NOLA #lawx pic.twitter.com/iHaMpz11jk
— Zack Fradella (@ZackFradellaWx) June 1, 2023

The depression is projected to move south over the next couple of days and may briefly obtain tropical storm strength. By the weekend, upper-level winds will strengthen and begin to weaken the system. It poses no threat to Louisiana.

This system is being labeled as Tropical Depression Two by the National Hurricane Center because of a subtropical storm off the east coast of the U.S. back in January, which was later upgraded to become the official first storm of the season.

Since that storm was not named, however, Tropical Depression Two will be dubbed Arlene if it strengthens into a tropical storm.