One day before the 2008 hurricane season was to officially begin, and a storm has already formed in the Caribbean. Tropical Storm Arthur was born off the coast of Belize Saturday morning.

As of 7:00 p.m. CDT, it was moving slowly westward over the Yucatan Peninsula. The storm is expected to cross the Southern Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico tonight and could emerge over the Bay of Campeche on Sunday.

At last report, Arthur’s winds were near 40 MPH with higher gusts. Forecasters say the storm is expected to weaken to a depression tonight but it could later regain tropical storm strength if it emerges over the Bay of Campeche.

Arthur is expected to produce heavy rain over portions of Belize, Guatemala, and the Yucatan Peninsula Saturday night. The rainfall could produce life-threatening flash floods and mudslides, especially in mountain areas.