"Claudette" could reach hurricane strength "in the next couple of hours or by this evening," according to the Miami-based center.

The storm's center was 455 kilometers (276 miles) east-southeast of Corpus Christi, Texas at 1500 GMT. It was moving north-northwest at 10 kilometers an hour (six miles an hour), although its direction could shift to the west.

"Claudette" may reach the Texas coastline Tuesday or Wednesday, according to the center.

A hurricane alert is in place across a wide swathe of the Texas coast, from Baffin Bay to the San Louis Pass.

The hurricane alert for the northeast coast of Mexico has been lifted, the center said.

A storm has to generate winds of up to 119 kilometers an hour (74 miles an hour) in order for it be classed as a hurricane.

TERRA.WIRE