Tropical Storm Karen Pulls Away From Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands

MIAMI, FL — The center of Tropical Storm Karen pulled away from Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands late Tuesday night as weather officials continued to monitor two other tropical storms in the Atlantic.

"Karen will continue to bring heavy rainfall, flash floods and mudslides to Puerto Rico, Vieques and the U.S. and British Virgin Islands into Wednesday even as the center moves away from the region," the National Hurricane Center said.

A tropical storm warning remained in effect for the U.S. Virgin Islands; Puerto Rico, including Vieques and Culebra as well as the British Virgin Islands as of 11 p.m. Tuesday.

"Maximum sustained winds are near 45 mph ... with higher gusts," the National Hurricane Center reported at 11 p.m. Tuesday. "Some strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours."

Meanwhile, the National Hurricane Center continues to monitor two other tropical storms in the Atlantic.

The center of Jerry, which at one time was a hurricane, was expected to pass near Bermuda on Wednesday. Large swells were expected to affect the coast during the next few days.

"These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip currents," the National Hurricane Center warned.

A tropical storm warning remained in effect for Bermuda. Gradual weakening of Jerry was expected over the next few days.

Tropical Storm Lorenzo, which formed off the far eastern Atlantic, was expected to become a hurricane on Wednesday and a major hurricane on Friday night. The storm is not expected to pose a threat to the United States.

Weather officials are also monitoring a disturbance near the northwestern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula that is producing a small area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms. The system has a 10 percent chance of formation over the next 48 hours and a 20 percent chance over the next five days.