Tropical Storm Arlene formed in the eastern Gulf of Mexico just as the 2023 Atlantic Hurricane Season kicked off, becoming the first named storm of the 2023 season—officially being classified as Tropical Depression 2 on Thursday, June 1 and being designated Arlene on Friday, June 2. 

The good news is that the lifespan of Arlene looks short-lived as the storm slowly moves south a couple hundred miles off the west coast of Florida. The storm is not expected to undergo further strengthening and is forecast to weaken Friday through the weekend as strong winds higher up in the atmosphere rip the system apart as it slowly drifts south and east toward Cuba.

**Tropical Storm Arlene Forecas**

![ Tropical Storm Arlene Forecas](https://firsthandweather.s3.amazonaws.com/Tropical_Storm_Arlene_Forecas_bb77a9b9b1.png)

Despite the hostile atmospheric conditions leading to weakening of the system, Florida will still see some rain, gusty winds, and rough seas from Arlene Friday into the weekend, but no widespread, significant impacts are currently forecast.

**Rainfall Forecast**

![Screenshot 2023-06-02 at 3.06.37 PM.png](https://firsthandweather.s3.amazonaws.com/Screenshot_2023_06_02_at_3_06_37_PM_1dc87c06c0.png)

large_Visible imagery of Arlene

medium_Visible imagery of Arlene

small_Visible imagery of Arlene

thumbnail_Visible imagery of Arlene

Visible imagery of Arlene

Arlene becomes the first tropical storm of the season in the Gulf of Mexico.

Where's Tropical Storm Arlene headed?