Storm growing, may hit islands

MEXICO CITY — Forecasters said Sunday that Tropical Storm Maria is likely to hit the Leeward Islands as a strengthening hurricane by tonight.

Watches were in effect for many islands still coping with devastation left by Hurricane Irma, including St. Martin, St. Barts and Antigua and Barbuda.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center said Maria was likely to grow into a hurricane Sunday and swell into major hurricane status by midweek, heading for Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and Haiti.

Long-lived Hurricane Jose was moving northward off the U.S. Atlantic Seaboard, kicking up dangerous surf and rip currents, but not expected to make landfall.

In the Pacific, Tropical Storm Norma’s threat to Mexico’s Los Cabos area appeared to be easing, its center likely to remain offshore.