Hurricane Julia stronger; Tropical Storm Karl heads toward Mexican coast, warnings issued

Hurricane Julia stronger; TS Karl headed to Mexico

MIAMI — Hurricane Julia has intensified in the open Atlantic and Tropical Storm Karl in the northwestern Caribbean is on a path toward the Yucatan Peninsula.

Forecasters late Tuesday said Karl had maximum sustained winds of about 45 mph (75 kph) and is located about 185 miles (295 kph) east of Chetumal, Mexico. The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami says the strengthening storm’s center could be over the Yucatan on Wednesday.

Mexico’s government has issued a tropical storm warning for the peninsula from Chetumal northward to Cabo Catoche. Parts of Belize are under a tropical storm watch.

Meanwhile, Julia had maximum winds near 105 mph (165 kph). Also far from land over the Atlantic, Hurricane Igor’s top winds increased to 155 mph (250 kph).