Hurricane Maria is on the verge of becoming a dangerous major hurricane as it heads toward the Leeward Islands.
According to the 5 a.m. Eastern time update from the National Hurricane Center, Maria's top winds are 90 miles an hour and it's moving west-northwest at 13 miles an hour.
Significant strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours and is likely to be at Category 3 or 4 intensity by the time it moves into the extreme northeastern Caribbean Sea.
Hurricane watches have been issued for the U.S. and British Virgin Islands as well as for Puerto Rico.