Hurricane Earl approaching the northernmost leeward islands

Hurricane Earl became a Category 1 hurricane this morning, now has 85 MPH sustained winds and gusts up to 105 MPH and is steadily growing.

(Graphic courtesy of Weather Underground)

Hurricane warnings and watches have been issued as well as tropical storm watches by the National Hurricane Center:

Summary of watches and warnings in effect...(Weather Underground)

a Hurricane Warning is in effect for...
* Antigua...Barbuda...Montserrat...St. Kitts...Nevis...and Anguilla
* Saint Martin and Saint barthelemy
* St. Maarten...Saba...and St. Eustatius
* British Virgin Islands

a Hurricane Watch is in effect for...
* U.S.Virgin Islands
* Puerto Rico including the islands of Culebra and Vieques

a Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for...
* U.S. Virgin Islands
* Puerto Rico including the islands of Culebra and Vieques

hurricane conditions are expected within the Hurricane Warning
area...in this case within the next 12 to 24 hours. Preparations
to protect life and property should be nearing completion.

Hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area...in this
case within the next 24 to 36 hours.

Worst of Earl to Slam Leeward Islands Tonight, Monday(AccuWeather)

Strong winds high in the atmosphere (also known as wind shear) associated with Hurricane Danielle had been inhibiting Earl's ability to strengthen. That changed this morning as Danielle pushed farther away to the northeast.

Earl will continue to grow into a Category 2 hurricane into Monday morning, curving slightly more to the northwest in the process.

That slight turn should spare the Leeward Islands from a direct hit by Hurricane Earl. However, Earl will pass close enough to unleash most of its fury on the islands.

The AccuWeather.com Hurricane Center is expecting Earl to track within 50 miles of the northernmost Leeward Islands late tonight into Monday.

(Graphic courtesy of AccuWeather)