A tropical storm watch was in effect for Bermuda as Tropical Storm Maria continued to move slowly through the Atlantic early Tuesday, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami.
Maria had maximum sustained winds near 50 mph as it moved north-northwest at 5 mph, according to the latest NHC update at 8 a.m.
The storm was about 320 miles east of the southeastern Bahamas and about 820 miles southeast of Miami.
Maria is expected to strengthen during the next 48 hours as it makes a turn toward the north and gradually moves away from the east coast of the U.S. and passes west of Bermuda on Thursday.
Heavy rainfall was forecast for Puerto Rico throughout the day with wind gusts to tropical storm force possible in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
