(RNN) - Tropical Storm Gordon developed in the Florida Keys on Labor Day morning, while Tropical Storm Florence continued to churn well out in the Atlantic Ocean.
Though the tropical storm wasn't yet named, the National Hurricane Center issued warnings in the wee hours of the morning, well ahead of the storm.
At about 10 miles from Key Largo, the tropical storm is heading west-northwest at 16 mph, with winds of around 45 mph.
Warnings were issued early Monday morning for the central Gulf coast, with areas from the Alabama-Florida border all the way to Morgan City, LA, told to prepare for tropical storm conditions - strong wind and heavy rainfall.
Forecasters have also issued a storm surge watch from the Alabama-Mississippi border to the mouth of the Mississippi River.
In the meantime, the tropical storm is pelting south Florida, the Florida Keys with heavy rain and wind.The National Hurricane Center said it's preparing to issue tropical storm warnings for south Florida and the Keys as well.
Gordon is expected to make landfall on the central Gulf Coast as a strong tropical storm.
Tropical Storm #Gordon has formed near the Upper Florida Keys, with maximum winds of 45 mph. Tropical Storm Warnings are coming for portions of south Florida and the Keys in a Special Advisory to be issued by 9 am EDT (1300 UTC). More: https://t.co/tW4KeGdBFb
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) September 3, 2018
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