Gabrielle downgraded to a depression, warnings discontinued for Puerto Rico

Thursday, September 5, 2013, 6:41 AM -

Tropical Storm Gabrielle formed in the Atlantic, prompting tropical storm warnings for Puerto Rico and nearby islands.

Those warnings were discontinued for Puerto Rico late Thursday morning and the government of the Dominican Republic changed their warnings to a tropical storm watch instead.

"Gabrielle has become very poorly organized," the U.S. National Hurricane Center says. "It is expected to degenerate to a remnant low pressure area tonight or Friday as the center moves over the Dominican Republic."

Forecasters add that between 50-100 mm of rain is expected for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, with isolated maximum amounts of up to 200 mm possible in areas of mountainous terrain.

These rains could cause dangerous flash floods and mudslides.

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Forecasters are also keeping their eye on Tropical Depression TWELVE-E, which formed off the southwest coast of Mexico.

There are currently no coastal warnings in place, but locally heavy rainfall is possible along the coast on Thursday.