CHARLOTTE AMALIE, U.S. Virgin Islands (AP) — Tropical Storm Rafael has moved north of the Virgin Islands while dumping heavy rains around the eastern Caribbean.
The storm was centered about 105 miles (170 kilometers) northeast of St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands at 2 a.m. EDT Sunday. Rafael had top sustained winds of 50 mph (85 kph) and was moving north at 14 mph (22 kph).
The U.S. National Hurricane Center said Rafael could become a hurricane in coming days. Forecasters said the storm was expected to turn toward the north-northwest on Sunday, moving away from the Virgin Islands.
A tropical storm warning remained in effect for the U.S. Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands, Anguilla, Barbuda, St. Kitts, Nevis, Antigua, Montserrat and St. Maartin, among other places.
Puerto Rico was under a tropical storm watch.
