Tropical storm and hurricane warnings were posted along Mexico's eastern coast as Tropical Storm Arlene churned toward land, the National Hurricane Center said.
The center said tropical storm warnings were in effect for Las Cruz north to La Pesca, and for Palma Sola south to Veracruz, the Miami-based center said in its 4 a.m. EDT advisory. A hurricane warning likely would be discontinued later Thursday morning, the NHC said.
The storm was about 35 miles north of Tuxpan and 60 miles southeast of Tampico, heading west at 9 mph and expected to move inland over mainland Mexico Thursday, the center in Miami said in its 4 a.m. EDT advisory.
Arlene's sustained winds were 65 mph and expected to weaken through the day and dissipate Friday, forecasters said.
Arlene was expected to produce between 4- to 8 inches of rain over eastern and northeastern Mexico, with up to 15 inches in isolated instances possible in the mountains, forecasters said. Flash floods and mud slides were possible.
A storm surge will raise water levels by as much as 1- to 3 feet above normal tide levels along the coast near and north of Cabo Rojo, forecasters said.