WASHINGTON, Sept 6 – 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 Centre in Miami said today.

US 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 60kph and was moving north at 13 kph.

The US hurricane centre said the storm was located about 305km east-southeast of Tampico, Mexico.

The Mexican government yesterday 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 per cent of US oil production, 11 per cent of natural gas production and more than 43 per cent of US refinery capacity.

The hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30 and is currently in its peak period. – Reuters