By the Caribbean Journal staff

Tropical Storm Dorian was nearing hurricane strength Wednesday morning as it headed toward the USVI, BVI and Puerto Rico, according to the latest update from the National Hurricane Center in Miami.

The storm was about 60 miles southeast of St Croix on Wednesday morning, moving northwest at 13 mph.

The center of the storm was projected to move over or near the USVI, BVI and Puerto Rico later today.

On Thursday and Friday, the center of Dorian was slated to move to the east of the Turks and Caicos and the southeastern Bahamas, and move to the east of the central and northwestern Bahamas on Friday and Saturday.

The projected path of the storm.

The NHC said the storm, which had maximum sustained winds near 60 mph, would strengthen more on Wednesday before possibly weakening as it moved across Puerto Rico and the VI.

A hurricane watch is now in effect for Puerto Rico, Vieques, Culebra and the USVI.

A tropical storm warning is also in effect for Puerto Rico, Vieques, Culebra, the USVI and the BVI.

A hurricane watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the affected area over the next 48 hours.

A tropical storm warning means tropical storm conditions are possible in the area within a 36-hour period.

— CJ