FIRST ALERT: Tropical Storm Karl forms in the Gulf of Mexico

MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WMBF) - Tropical Storm Karl formed Tuesday afternoon in the southern Gulf of Mexico.

Karl has formed in the Bay of Campeche, just off the Mexican coastline. Hurricane Hunters Tuesday afternoon found winds of 40 mph and a well-defined circulation, leading to the upgrade to a Tropical Storm. Slow strengthening is expected with Karl becoming a 50 mph storm through mid-week. The storm is not expected to become a hurricane.

Karl won’t be in a hurry this week, basically meandering in the Bay of Campeche through Thursday. The storm is then expected to move into Mexico by Friday morning as a 50 mph Tropical Storm.

A large area of high pressure over the Southeast will prevent the storm from making a turn to the north. Karl poses no threat to the United States other than an increased rip current threat along the Gulf states.

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