Tropical Storm Franklin formed late on Sunday as the sixth tropical system of the 2017 Atlantic hurricane season.
- Tropical Storm Franklin forms late Sunday
- Storm expected to strengthen near Central America
- Track the Tropics
- HURRICANE CENTER: Interactive Storm Tracker
As it travels over warm waters to the north of Honduras, there is some potential for strengthening before it makes landfall late tonight or tomorrow.
Franklin poses no threat to Florida or the United States at this time.
As of 11 a.m. ET, the center of Franklin was about 205 miles east of Belize City and about 215 miles east-southeast of Chetumal, Mexico. Maximum sustained winds were at 60 mph as it moves west-northwest at 14 mph.
With conditions expected to deteriorate this afternoon along the east coast of the Yucatan, tropical storm warnings have been issued for coastal Belize and Mexico. A hurricane watch is in effect for the coast of Mexico from Chetumal to Punta Allen. A tropical storm warning is in effect from Belize City northward to the border of Mexico as well as the coast of Mexico from Chetumal to Campeche.
On its current forecast track, the center of Franklin will be near the east coast of the Yucatan by this evening, then move across the peninsula tonight and into Tuesday.
This storm is projected to produce torrential rainfall and potentially life-threatening flash floods once it makes landfall. More than 3 to 6 inches of rain may fall with some areas receiving up to 1 foot of rain.
After moving through the Yucatan, it should emerge into the Bay of Campeche before making a second landfall later this week along the east coast of Mexico.
There is another weak low in the Central Atlantic showing a marginal chance of development, but it will stay out over open waters. The next name on the list is Gert.
