Tropical Storm Francine formed Monday in the Gulf of Mexico and is forecast to grow into a hurricane before landfall this week, according to the National Hurricane Center. In the NHC’s 11 a.m. EDT advisory,

ATLANTA — Tropical Storm Francine officially formed in the Gulf of Mexico on Monday. The storm is projected to make landfall near Texas and Louisiana later this week. As of 11 a.m. Monday, Severe Weather Team 2 Meteorologist Eboni Deon says Francine is moving slowly NNW at 5 mph with maximum winds of 50 mph.