01:58 Beta's Main Threats: Heavy Rain, Coastal Flooding Tropical Storm Beta is tracking through the northwest Gulf of Mexico and poses threats of flooding rainfall, storm surge and gusty winds to parts of Texas and Louisiana early this week.

Hurricane Maria has intensified into a major Category 3 hurricane with 120 mph winds as it nears the Caribbean where potentially disastrous impacts may occur in parts of the Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.

Maria is the fourth major hurricane (Category 3 or stronger) of the 2017 Atlantic hurricane season.

The Leeward Islands will see the first impacts from Maria starting Monday with Dominica, Guadeloupe and Martinique among the locations that will see the most severe impacts.

Maria is then expected to strike the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico Wednesday, potentially as a strong Category 4 hurricane.

A hurricane warning is now in effect for the Virgin Islands, while Puerto Rico is under a hurricane watch.

For more details on Hurricane Maria, see our full article here .