(AP) -- A new tropical depression has formed in the Atlantic prompting tropical storm warnings to be issued across a swath of islands in the Caribbean.
The depression has maximum sustained winds near 35 mph (55 kph) early Tuesday but is expected to strengthen and become a tropical storm later in the day.
Tropical storm warnings have been issued for Dominica, Guadeloupe, Desirade, Les Saintes, Marie Galante, St. Martin, St. Kitts, Nevis, Antigua, Montserrat and Barbuda.
Tropical storm watches have been issued for Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Vieques, Culbera, Saba, St. Eustatius, St. Maarten and the British Virgin Islands.
The depression is centered about 645 miles (1,035 kilometers) east of Guadeloupe and is moving west near 20 mph (32 kph). It's expected to move over the central Lesser Antilles on Wednesday afternoon.
For updates from Chief Meteorologist Ed Piotrowski, head to our Hurricane Central page.
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