Tropical Storm Paula has been upgraded over night to Hurricane Paula. The storm is currently located at 18.1°N 85.4°W, which puts it approximately 190 miles SSE of Cozumel, Mexico. Maximum sustained winds are 75 miles per hour making it a minimal hurricane. Currently Paula is moving in a NW direction at 10 miles per hour.

The ultimate track of the storm remains an uncertainty. Many computer models, along with the National Hurricane Center predict it will meander in the Caribbean and Gulf of Honduras for several day, taking a path that resembles a loop. After it makes the expected loop, it could track east and miss the US, or it could head northeast, at least scraping parts of Florida.

The following watches and warnings have been issued in regard to Hurricane Paula:

A HURRICANE WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR…
* THE COAST OF MEXICO FROM PUNTA GRUESA NORTHWARD TO CABO CATOCHE…
INCLUDING COZUMEL

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR…
* THE COAST OF MEXICO FROM CHETUMAL NORTHWARD TO SOUTH OF PUNTA
GRUESA
* THE COAST OF MEXICO FROM CABO CATOCHE TO SAN FELIPE

If you live anywhere in the Caribbean, or the Gulf of Mexico, you should pay close attention to the developments of this storm over the next 7 days.