Havana, August 25 (RHC)-- Tropical Storm Erika is expected to approach the Leeward Islands or Northern Lesser Antilles Wednesday night or early on Thursday. The storm is moving westward at a speed of 31 kilometers per hour, although its speed is expected to lower over the next 48 hours.

According to an advisory from the National Hurricane Center in Miami, Erika was located near Latitude 14.8 North, Longitude 50.2 West earlier this morning, with maximum sustained winds near 45 km per hour and higher gusts. The storm could strengthen over the next couple of days and its winds extend outwards up to 130 kilometers from the storm center.

In the Caribbean, Saint Marten authorities issued a Tropical Storm Watch, meaning that tropical storm conditions are possible in the watch area over the next 48 hours.