PM UPDATE 6/2/2023: The first Tropical Storm of the season has formed in the Gulf.

Tropical Storm Arlene is about 265 miles west of Fort Myers, Florida, moving to the south.

Hurricane Hunters have measured sustained winds of 40 mpg with higher gusts. Forecasters do predict it will weaken tonight as it moves closer to Cuba.

LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) —AM UPDATE 6/2/2023: Tropical Depression Two formed in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico on Thursday afternoon. As of this morning, TD 2 has wind speeds of 35 mph as it slowly moves south at 5 mph. You can see how wind shear is keeping the system weak as the center of circulation is exposed and away from the shower and thunderstorm activity. We are still not expecting any impacts in Acadiana from this tropical system as it drifts southwards this weekend, away from Louisiana.

The latest forecast cone from the National Hurricane Center shows Tropical Depression Two moving south toward Cuba. The current forecast shows no further strengthening which means it is not expected to become a Tropical Storm. If it happens to gain any further strength it would become Arlene.

AM UPDATE 6/1/2023: We now have Tropical Depression Two over the Gulf. Any strengthening will be very slow, and it’s expected to drift south toward Cuba.

Impacts to Acadiana are still NOT expected as this system drifts south in the eastern Gulf of Mexico, far enough away from Louisiana. The first tropical spaghetti plots of the season shows the general track southwards in the coming days. Impacts could be felt across Florida, with dangerous riptides happening across the Panhandle today. The first name on the list this year is Arlene.