Tropical Storm Beryl forms in the Atlantic and is expected to strengthen into a hurricane

Beryl, the second tropical storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, took shape Friday as it headed toward the Caribbean.

Beryl is expected to strengthen into a hurricane as it approaches the Windward Islands in the West Indies, the National Hurricane Center reported in its latest advisory released Friday evening.

Beryl was centered about 1,100 miles (1,800 km) southeast of Barbados, the hurricane center said, with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (64 km/h) and tropical storm-force winds extending 45 miles (72 km) from its center. It was moving west at 18 mph (29 km/h).

The system is expected to hit the Windward Islands on Sunday or Monday night and is expected to bring 3 to 6 inches of rain to the Windward Islands and Barbados. No watches or warnings were in place yet.

Last week, tropical storm Alberto brought Torrential flooding in parts of southern Texas and northeastern Mexico. It has been responsible for at least four deaths in the Mexican states of Nuevo Leon and Veracruz, according to the Associated Press.

The Atlantic hurricane season began on June 1 and lasts until November 30. According to the hurricane center, the first hurricane of the season typically forms in early to mid-August, which would make Beryl unusual if it reached hurricane strength. In a report Released last month, NOAA predicted an “above average” hurricane season, with 17 to 25 storms, 8 to 13 hurricanes and 4 to 7 major hurricanes of Category 3 or higher.

A tropical storm is a tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph, while a hurricane is defined as a tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds in excess of 74 mph.