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Tropical Storm Karen forms in Gulf of Mexico, could bring rain to area

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Tropical Storm Karen has formed in the Gulf of Mexico, and a hurricane watch is in effect along the Gulf Coast from Louisiana to Florida.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami says the late-season storm formed Thursday morning. It was about 500 miles south of the mouth of the Mississippi River and already had maximum sustained winds of 60 mph.

Read more on Tropical Storm Karen's path here.

In Charlotte, Thursday is expected to be a repeat of Wednesday, with partly cloudy skies with highs near 84 degrees, says Severe Weather Center 9's Vicki Graf.

There is a small threat for some spotty showers in the mountains, but not expecting storms and should just be some brief pop-ups.

Temperatures will continue to climb through the end of the week, with highs for Saturday near 87 degrees and closer to 90 degrees for the midlands.

Graf is tracking a cold front to the west that will approach Sunday, which could bring a lot of tropical moisture to the Charlotte area.

Showers will start Sunday afternoon with heavy downpours on Monday.

Depending on the path of T.S. Karen, rainfall amounts could be anywhere from a half inch to two inches.