A shift slightly eastward means Tropical Storm Francine is likely to drop some rain, but that's about it, in the East Texas area, the National Weather Service said. (Contributed Photo)

A shift slightly eastward means Tropical Storm Francine is likely to drop some rain in the East Texas area — but that’s about it, the National Weather Service said.

“The forecast for this system is to develop into a hurricane later today as it moves north toward the Southeast Louisiana coast,” the NWS said Tuesday. “The present forecast calls for a landfall late Wednesday afternoon/early evening, moving inland overnight Wednesday and into early Thursday morning.

“The most likely impact will be the potential for some heavy rainfall and localized flooding beginning early Wednesday and continuing through early Thursday across portions of North Central and Northeast Louisiana.”

Forecasted rainfall amounts range between 0.25 and half an inch for areas in the Gregg and northern Rusk County areas, fewer than 0.25 inches for areas around Tyler, and between half an inch and 1 inch for Panola County, southern Rusk County and eastern Harrison County.