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Tropical Storm Dorian Expected To Strengthen Before Reaching Puerto Rico

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Slow strengthening is forecast during the next 24 hours, and Dorian is forecast to be near hurricane strength when it approaches Puerto Rico on Wednesday.

Some weakening is expected after Dorian moves across the higher terrain of Puerto Rico. Dorian is expected to gradually re-strengthen on Thursday and Friday while passing near or to the east of the Turks and Caicos and southeastern and central Bahamas.

On Tuesday afternoon, Puerto Rico declared a state of emergency ahead of Dorian's arrival.

On Thursday night and Friday, the center of Dorian is forecast to move near or to the east of the Turks and Caicos and the southeastern Bahamas.

At 11 p.m., the center of the system was about 275 miles southeast of Ponce, Puerto Rico.

It was moving to the west-northwest at 13 mph with maximum sustained winds remaining at 50 mph.

Dorian is forecast to continue moving to the west-northwest through Tuesday night, followed by a turn toward the northwest on Wednesday.

Maximum sustained winds remain near 50 mph with higher gusts. Slow strengthening is forecast during the next 24 hours, and Dorian is forecast to be near hurricane strength when it approaches Puerto Rico on Wednesday. Some weakening is expected after Dorian moves across the higher terrain of Puerto Rico Wednesday night.

Dorian is expected to gradually re-strengthen on Thursday and Friday while passing near or to the east of the Turks and Caicos and southeastern Bahamas.

SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for...
* Puerto Rico

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for...
* Puerto Rico
* Vieques
* Culebra
* U.S. Virgin Islands
* British Virgin Islands
* Dominican Republic from Isla Saona to Samana

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for...
* Dominican Republic from Isla Saona to Puerto Plata

Dorian is expected to produce the following rain amounts through Thursday:
Martinique to Saint Vincent - 3 to 6 inches, isolated 10 inches.
Grenadines to Grenada - 1 to 3 inches.
Guadeloupe to Dominica - 1 to 4 inches.
Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic - 4 to 6 inches, isolated 8 inches.
U.S. Virgin Islands - 1 to 3 inches, isolated 4 inches.

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