MIAMI, Nov. 1 (UPI) -- Tropical storm Michelle neared hurricane strength Thursday as it moved from the coast of Central America toward the western tip of Cuba, forecasters at the National Hurricane Center said.
"Michelle continues to strengthen and maximum sustained winds are near 70 mph with higher gusts," forecaster James Franklin said.
He said MIchelle's winds were expected to reach hurricane strength of 74 mph later Thursday.
"Intermittent but locally heavy rainfall from outer bands will occur over the Cayman Islands and Jamaica during the next couple of days," Franklin said.
At 10 a.m. EST, Michelle was located near latitude 17.2 north, longitude 83.9 west or about 330 miles south-southeast of the western tip of Cuba.
The Atlantic-Caribbean hurricane season's 13th named storm was moving toward the north-northwest near 7 mph, a track that is expected to continue for the next 24 hours.
On that course, Michelle would reach Cuba Sunday. After that there are indications the storm could turn toward the east, but the question remains as to how sharp that right turn would be and whether it would be sharp enough to miss south Florida.
