Tropical storm Michael has been upgraded to a hurricane, triggering a hurricane warning for western Cuba and a hurricane watch for the northeastern gulf coast, the United States National Hurricane Center said this morning.

Michael was located about 220 kilometers east-northeast of Cozumel, Quintana Roo, at 11:00am EDT and heading north. Maximum sustained winds were 120 kilometers per hour and further strengthening is forecast.

A tropical storm warning is in effect for the coast of Mexico from Tulum to Cabo Catoche at the northern end of the Yucatán peninsula.

The National Meteorological Service warned this morning that strong winds with gusts up to 60 kilometers per hour are forecast for the coasts of Quintana Roo and Yucatán, along with two to three-meter waves.

The hurricane is predicted to move into the southeastern Gulf of Mexico by tonight and become a major hurricane by Tuesday or Tuesday night.

Mexico News Daily