Tropical Storm Danielle forms in the Gulf, takes aim at Mexico

Tropical Storm Danielle, which formed Monday morning in the Gulf of Mexico, is forecast to hit the east coast of Mexico later Monday, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The storm will bring heavy rain and flooding across the states of Tamaulipas and Veracruz Monday and Tuesday, including the cities of Victoria and Tampico, AccuWeather meteorologist Rob Miller said.

The hurricane center warned that rain from Danielle could cause life-threatening flash floods and mudslides over portions of eastern Mexico over the next couple of days.

Danielle is the fourth named storm of the 2016 Atlantic hurricane season. Danielle is the earliest 4th tropical storm on record in the Atlantic basin, the hurricane center said. The previous record was held by Debbie on June 23, 2012.

As of 11 a.m. ET, Danielle had maximum sustained winds of 45 mph and was located about 105 miles north of Veracruz, Mexico. It was moving to the west at 7 mph.

Danielle is not forecast to strengthen into a hurricane and poses no immediate threat to the U.S., though some high surf is possible along the southern Texas coast.