Tropical Storm Maria forms in the Atlantic

FORT MYERS, Fla. Tropical Storm Maria formed in the eastern Atlantic Saturday evening, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Tropical Storm Maria had maximum sustained winds of 50 mph as of the 11 p.m. advisory, the hurricane center said. The storm was about 545 miles east-southeast of the Lesser Antilles and was moving west at 16 mph.

A hurricane watch was issued for Antigua, Barbuda, St. Kitts, Nevis, Montserrat, Guadeloupe, Saba, St. Eustatius, St. Maarten and Anguilla, the hurricane center said.

A slower west-northwest motion is expected during the next couple of days, the hurricane center said. Maria is expected to approach the Leeward Islands on Monday.

It’s too soon to tell if Tropical Storm Maria will effect Southwest Florida.

Tropical Storm Lee also formed in the Atlantic on Saturday morning as of the 11 a.m. advisory from the National Hurricane Center.

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