Tropical storm Arthur forms near Belize

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2008

MIAMI (AFP) — The first tropical storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, Arthur, was lashing the coasts of Belize, Guatemala and southeast Mexico, US officials said Sunday.

The National Hurricane Center issued a tropical storm warning for the coast of Brazil and the east coast of the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico.

With winds of 65 kilometers per hour, Arthur was set to dump between 12.5 and 25 centimeters of rain, leaving a risk of flooding and landslides, especially in mountainous areas, the center said.

The storm formed Saturday, just before the official opening of the five-month Atlantic hurricane season June 1.

For 2008, officials have predicted considerable storm activity, with between 12 and 16 storms, including between six and nine hurricanes,...