The storm had maximum sustained winds of 50 mph. It was located about 620 miles east-southeast of the Lesser Antilles and was heading west at 20 mph. 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.
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