A Hurricane hunter plane on Tuesday was investigating a large tropical wave that appeared to be strengthening as it neared the Leeward Islands.

The National Hurricane Center said the system had a good chance of becoming Tropical Storm Erika within a day or two.

At 2 p.m., the system was some 1,650 miles from Miami -- too far to predict whether or where it might make landfall -- and computer models varied widely on its future track. Some showed it turning north-northwest into the Atlantic, following Bill and Danny's path. Others took it more westward toward Puerto Rico, Haiti and -- potentially -- Florida.

At 2 p.m., the hurricane center said the system was about 225 miles east of the Leeward Islands, moving west-northwest at 10 mph. The system was producing gale force winds and heavy thunderstorms in some areas and forecasters said satellite pictures showed a developing center of circulation that defines tropical storms.

The center urged residents of the Leeward Islands, Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico to closely monitor the storm.

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