MIAMI (AP) — Tropical Storm Maria has formed in the Atlantic and is forecast to strengthen and brush by some islands that were recently wrecked by Hurricane Irma.
The storm had maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 kph). It was located about 620 miles east southeast of the Lesser Antilles and was heading west at 20 mph (31 kph). A slower west-northwest motion is expected over the next couple of days.
A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Antigua, Barbuda, St. Kitts, Nevis, and Montserrat.
Maria is expected to be a hurricane as it approaches the Leeward Islands on Monday.
Maria could also affect the British and U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico by mid-week as a dangerous major hurricane, and hurricane watches could be issued for these islands as early as Sunday.
This is very concerning. T.S. Maria forecast to strengthen to a Cat 3 mid-week and track through areas hurt by Irma. pic.twitter.com/gTSMhaTCTJ
— Bri Eggers (@BriEggers) September 16, 2017
#Maria is now forecast to become a major hurricane (category 3+) on Wednesday as it gets very close to Puerto Rico. pic.twitter.com/FtfSOtI5Iy
— Hurricane Tracker App (@hurrtrackerapp) September 16, 2017
We're tracking Hurricane Jose (Cat 1), and T.S. Lee – and now we have Tropical Storm Maria to keep a close eye on: pic.twitter.com/JJdl4G5oQL
— Bri Eggers (@BriEggers) September 16, 2017
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