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.
CNN
