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Maria could threaten several Caribbean islands, some of which
were devastated by Hurricane Irma less than two weeks ago. It is
expected to approach the Leeward Islands on Monday and become a
hurricane around that time, the NHC said.
A hurricane watch is in effect for Antigua, Barbuda, St. Kitts,
Nevis and Montserrat and France has also issued a hurricane
watch for the island of Guadeloupe. A hurricane watch is
typically issued 48 hours before the first occurrence of
storm-force winds, NHC said.
Meanwhile, the NHC said the coastline from North Carolina to New
England should monitor Hurricane Jose's progress and forecast
that tropical storm watches may be needed for portions of that
stretch during the next day or two.
"However, an increase in the size of the storm or a westward
adjustment in the track forecast could bring tropical storm
conditions closer to the Outer Banks" of North Carolina, the
forecast said.
As a large cyclone, Jose could also affect the Virginia-to-New
England area, especially if it deviates from its forecast track,
the NHC said.
At 5 p.m. EDT (2100 GMT), the NHC said Hurricane Jose was moving
northward at 6 miles per hour (106 kph), with maximum sustained
winds of 80 miles per hour (130 kph).
The NHC said it was generating swells affecting Bermuda, the
Bahamas, the northern coasts of Hispaniola and Puerto Rico, and
much of the U.S. East Coast. It said these swells are likely to
cause dangerous surf and life-threatening rip currents for
several days in these areas.
The 2017 hurricane season in the Atlantic has been one of the
most active in recent memory, generating the hugely powerful
Irma that went on to lash Florida and Hurricane Harvey, which
slammed into the Texas Gulf coast and caused deadly flooding in
Houston.
(Writing by Lisa Von Ahn and Diane Craft; Editing by Franklin
Paul and Mary Milliken)
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