Tropical Storm Chantal forms in Atlantic

The storm’s winds early Monday are near 40 mph.

tropical-storm-chantal-map

(Photo: National Hurricane Center)

Story Highlights

  • A tropical storm warning is in effect for Barbados, Dominica, St. Lucia, Martinique and Guadeloupe.
  • Storm forecast to weaken over Hispaniola and Cuba.
  • In the Pacific, Tropical Storm Erick is getting closer to Mexico.

MIAMI (AP) — Tropical Storm Chantal is racing toward the Lesser Antilles after forming in the Atlantic.

The storm’s maximum sustained winds early Monday are near 40 mph with some strengthening expected over the next two days.

A tropical storm warning has been issued for Barbados, Dominica, St. Lucia, Martinique and Guadeloupe. A tropical storm watch is in effect for St. Vincent.

Chantal is centered about 630 miles east-southeast of Barbados and is moving west near 26 mph.

By midweek, Chantal will encounter disruptive winds that could lead to weakening, according to AccuWeather meteorologist Kristina Pydynowski. This potential weakening would occur around the same time it nears Hispaniola and eastern Cuba.

Later in the week, it is possible that what’s left of the storm would enhance shower and thunderstorm activity across the Florida Peninsula, Pydynowski reports.

Meanwhile in the Pacific, Tropical Storm Erick is getting closer to the southern portion of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula, where a tropical storm warning is in effect.

Erick’s maximum sustained winds are near 50 mph with gradual weakening expected to continue over the next two days.

Contributing: Doyle Rice, USA TODAY

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