Tropical Storm José could threaten the Dominican Republic late this week if the storm maintains the west north-west track it is on. And the National Hurricane Center (United States) says it is gaining strength East of the Windward Antilles. "In 24 to 48 hours it could reach hurricane status," said Jack Bevin, a hurricane specialist at the National Hurricane Center in Miami. The tropical storm is located east of the Windward Islands. A hurricane watch has been issued for Barbados, and a tropical storm watch has been issued for Trinidad & Tobago. The storm is keeping a west-northwest track, with maximum sustained winds near 75 km/hr (45 mph), with higher gusts. At 11 am AST (1500Z) the center of the storm was located near latitude 10.7 North, longitude 54.3 West or about 625 kilometers (390 miles) east-southeast of Barbados. It is moving toward the west near 17 km/hr (10 mph) and a gradual turn toward the west north-west is expected during the next 24 hours. Jose is the 10th tropical storm of the 1999 Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 through Nov. 30. A hurricane this late in the season threatening the Caribbean is unusual. To follow the storm, go to http://www.intellicast.com/Tropical/World/UnitedStates/HurTrack2/
