Tropical Storm Karl forms in Caribbean; storm warning issued for parts of Mexican coast

Tropical Storm Karl forms in Caribbean

MIAMI — Tropical Storm Karl has formed in the northwestern Caribbean, heading on a path expected to take it over the Yucatan Peninsula.

Forecasters say the storm has maximum sustained winds of about 40 mph (65 kph) and is located about 270 miles (435 kph) east of Chetumal, Mexico. It’s moving west-northwest at 15 mph (24 kph).

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.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami says the storm is expected to strengthen, and its center could be over the Yucatan on Wednesday.

Meanwhile far from land over the Atlantic, Hurricane Igor’s top winds increased to 145 mph (230 kph). Hurricane Julia, also in the open Atlantic, had maximum winds near 85 mph (140 kph).

(This version CORRECTS APNewsNow. corrects that Karl formed in Caribbean. UPDATES with wind speeds for Julia and Igor. AP Video.)