WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Tropical storm Hermine has formed in the Gulf of Mexico and warnings have been issued from Tampico, Mexico up to Baffin Bay on the south Texas coast, the National Hurricane Center in Miami said on Monday.
U.S. forecasters predicted steady strengthening as Hermine turned north-northwestward. Tropical storm conditions were expected within about 24 hours in the warning area.
The eighth tropical storm of this season, Hermine carried maximum sustained winds of 40 mph and was moving north at 8 mph.
The U.S. hurricane center said the storm was located about 190 miles east-southeast of Tampico, Mexico.
The Mexican government on Sunday issued a tropical storm warning for the Gulf coast from Tampico to the border with Texas.
Energy traders keep a close eye on potentially violent storms approaching the Gulf because it is home to about 30 percent of U.S. oil production, 11 percent of natural gas production and more than 43 percent of U.S. refinery capacity.
The hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30 and is currently in its peak period.
