A new tropical storm has formed over the southern gulf of Mexico, in the Yucatan channel. Tropical storm Karen may possibly pose a threat to the United States.

Hurricane watches are now in full effect in Grand Isle, La, up to Indian Pass, Florida. The current hurricane watches do not include the metropolitan area of New Orleans.

The weather disturbance has been developing within the last few days but it was only on Thursday morning that Air Force reconnaissance aircraft was able to find a closed circulation. A closed circulation means that there is a full-fledged cyclone that is developing.

The data that was gathered from Thursday's reconnaissance mission does suggest that a cyclone has successfully formed. There were surface winds, averaging 63 mph that were measured near Karen's circulation. The speed of the winds indicate that a strong tropical cyclone may have formed. Karen is officially the Atlantic hurricane season's 12^th cyclone. She is also the 11^th named storm for the season.

Tropical storm Karen continues to move towards the Central gulf coast for now. There is no information yet as to how strong this cyclone can develop. Those residing in the northern parts of the Gulf of Mexico have been advised to watch out for some strong wind shears. Authorities are hopeful that the shears that Karen will encounter in the Gulf of Mexico will weaken the tropical cyclone to some degree, especially as she nears the United States Mainland.

Those living in watch areas have been asked to prepare for potential impacts such as strong winds, heavy rains of 4 inches or more, localized freshwater flooding and storm surges that may result in coastal saltwater flooding that will most likely occur on the right side of the landfall point of the cyclone.

Residents of possibly affected areas are also asked to stay tuned to their local weather channels.