(CNN) -- A tropical depression in southwestern Gulf of Mexico strengthened into a tropical storm Monday morning, forecasters said.
Tropical Storm Hermine is headed toward the coasts of Mexico and the United States with 40 mph (65 kph) winds, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami, Florida. As of 5 a.m. ET, Hermine was about 235 miles (375 km) southeast of La Pesca, Mexico.
The storm is moving north at about 8 mph (13 kph) and is expected to strengthen before making landfall near the northeast corner of Mexico or the southern tip of Texas by early Tuesday morning.
Hermine could dump up 4 to 8 inches of rain over northeastern Mexico and south Texas and as much as 12 inches in isolated areas, the hurricane center said.
"These rainfall amounts may cause life-threatening flash flood and mudslides, especially over the higher terrain of northeastern Mexico," the hurricane center said.
Mexico's Civil Protection Agency warned against marine activities and said oil platforms in the area should prepare for stormy weather.
CNN
