Tropical Storm Karl nears Yucatan landfall; Atlantic hurricanes churn
Miami, Florida (CNN) -- Tropical Storm Karl approached hurricane strength as it closed on the east coast of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula early Wednesday, the National Hurricane Center said.
A tropical storm warning was in place from Chetumal to Cabo Catoche. A tropical storm watch was called for northern Belize.
At 5 a.m. ET, Karl had maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 kph) and it was traveling west-northwest at 13 mph (20 kph), gaining 20 mph overnight. A storm becomes a hurricane with sustained winds of 75 mph.
The storm was 105 miles (170 km) east of Chetumal, Mexico, according to the hurricane center.
"The center of Karl will move over the Yucatan Peninsula later today and move into the southwestern Gulf of Mexico Wednesday night or Thursday," forecasters said. The storm is expected to strengthen again, according to the forecast map, before making a second landfall in Mexico.
The Atlantic Ocean, meanwhile, sported a pair of hurricanes -- both far from land.
Hurricane Igor remained a powerful Category 4 storm, despite weakening some overnight.
At 5 a.m. ET, Igor had top sustained winds of 145 mph (230 kph) and was moving to the west-northwest at 10 mph (17 kph), according to forecasters. The storm's center was about 1,090 miles (1755 km) southeast of Bermuda.
"Fluctuations in strength are anticipated during the next day or two," the center said, and it could have some effect on Bermuda.
Hurricane-force winds extended up to 45 miles (75 km) from Igor's center, and tropical storm-force winds could be felt up to 255 miles (360 km) outward, according to the center.
While the storm is expected to stay north of the Caribbean islands, the islands are expected to experience dangerous surf conditions, along with some wind and rain because of Igor's size, forecasters said.
Meanwhile, in the far eastern Atlantic, Julia kept pace, strengthening into a Category 4 storm overnight.
As of 5 a.m. ET, Julia's maximum sustained winds had increased to 135 mph (215 kph), picking up 30 mph over six-hour's time, and it was moving northwest at 10 mph (17 kph).
The storm's center was about 525 miles (845 km) west of the Cape Verde Islands.
Tracking maps show Julia, the fifth hurricane of the Atlantic season, weakening by Thursday. It is not expected to threaten land.
