Tropical Storm Francine is forecast to strengthen Tuesday morning and make landfall in Louisiana on Wednesday, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The storm’s wind speed remained around 65 mph (105 km/h) just after midnight, the center reported in its 1 a.m. CT update Tuesday.

“Francine is likely to become a hurricane today and is expected to strengthen significantly before reaching shore,” the update said.

Weather officials have issued a series of hurricane warnings and watches for coastal areas as the storm rages in the Gulf of Mexico. Strong winds extend outward about 140 miles from the storm.

Francine is expected to make landfall in southwestern Louisiana on Wednesday afternoon as a Category 2 storm with winds up to 100 mph.

A Storm Surge Warning was in effect for High Island, Texas, to the mouth of the Mississippi River and Vermilion Bay in Louisiana. A Hurricane Warning was in effect for the Louisiana coast from Sabine Pass eastward to Morgan City, officials said.

The storm is expected to bring rain to much of the coast, from northeastern Mexico to Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi. Most areas in the storm’s path will receive between 4 and 8 inches of rain, with a few areas getting as much as 12 inches.

“This rainfall could lead to significant flooding and urban flooding,” weather officials said.