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Click here for the latest updates.Follow for updates (all times EDT):10:50 p.m.After strengthening quickly throughout the day, the intensity of Jose appears to have leveled off this evening, the National Hurricane Center says.The Category 3 hurricane could slightly strengthen in the next 12 to 24 hours, according to the hurricane center.The government of Antigua has issued a tropical storm warning for Antigua, Barbuda, and Anguilla. Hurricane watches, meaning sustained winds of 74 mph or higher are possible, have been in effect for Antigua, Barbuda, Anguilla, Sint Maarten and St. Martin.8 p.m.Category 3 Hurricane Jose is expected to be near the northern Leeward Islands in the Caribbean on Saturday.5 p.m. - Jose now a major hurricaneJose has been upgraded to a Category 3 hurricane.It's the third major hurricane of the 2017 Atlantic season, the National Hurricane Center says.A Category 3 hurricane means sustained winds of 111 mph to 129 mph will occur.It's currently moving west-northwest in the Atlantic Ocean and could slow in the next couple days, the hurricane center says.The storm could strengthen in the next 24 to 36 hours and is currently about 625 miles east-southeast of the Caribbean island Antigua.2 p.m. - Jose now a category 2 stormJose was upgraded to a Category 2 hurricane on Thursday afternoon.The storm had winds of 105 mph. Jose's path may put the storm over islands already damaged by Hurricane Irma.Antigua and Barbuda are under watches and bracing for the storm. Right now, the path of Jose is expected to stay north and east of Irma's path as the storm approaches the United States. It's unclear if the United States will see any impact from the storm.10:53 a.m. - Jose expected to become major hurricane by FridayJose is expected to be a major hurricane by Friday.The National Hurricane Center said Jose continues to strengthen. Hurricane watches have now been issued for the islands of Antigua and Barbuda. Tropical Storm watches are in place for Anguilla, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis. Saba and St. Eustatius are also under a Tropical Storm Watch.Any possible impact to the United States is still unclear. 12 a.m. Thursday - Jose continues to strengthenHurricane Jose continues to strengthen, moving west-northwest at around 17 mph. The storm is expected to continue moving this direction over the next few days. Jose's maximum sustained winds are near 85 mph with stronger gusts. The storm is expected to strengthen during the next 48 hours.Jose and Katia strengthened Wednesday afternoon, bringing the number of hurricanes churning in the Atlantic basin to three. Irma was declared a hurricane earlier this week. It's the first time since 2010 that three active hurricanes have been in the Atlantic, according to CNN Weather. At this time, Jose is not expected to follow the same path as Irma. Instead, it's expected to curve up into the open Atlantic and become a major hurricane -- Category 3 or more -- with winds up to 115 mph.The closest land mass Jose will approach is the northern Leeward Islands, the same ones Irma just devastated. It's not close enough to cause direct destruction, but close enough to potentially bring another round of wind and rain to the ravaged islands.CNN and The Associated Press contributed to this report.