The storm's winds as of midday Monday are near 45 mph
MIAMI — Tropical Storm Chantal (shahn-TAHL') is racing toward the Lesser Antilles after forming in the Atlantic.
The storm's maximum sustained winds early Monday are near 45 mph (72 kph) with some strengthening expected over the next two days.
A tropical storm warning has been issued for Puerto Rico, Barbados, Dominica, St. Lucia, Martinique and Guadeloupe. A tropical storm watch is in effect for St. Vincent.
Chantal is centered about 550 miles (885 kilometers) east-southeast of Barbados and is moving west near 25 mph (41 kph).
Meanwhile in the Pacific, Tropical Storm Erick is getting closer to the southern portion of Mexico's Baja California peninsula, where a tropical storm warning is in effect. However, it is not expected to make landfall.
Erick's maximum sustained winds are near 45 mph (72 kph) with gradual weakening expected to continue over the next two days.