MIAMI _ The tropical disturbance in the Caribbean that became Tropical Depression No. 14 in Sunday's early hours strengthened into Tropical Storm Michael Sunday.
The National Hurricane Center thinks the storm has a more muscular future.
"Additional strengthening is expected during the next few days, and Michael is forecast to become a hurricane Monday night or Tuesday," the center said in an advisory Sunday evening.
The forecast track takes the story through the eastern Gulf of Mexico, meaning there might be some Category 1 preparation for residents of Florida's Panhandle and southern Alabama this week.
Tropical storm warnings were already in effect for Pinar Del Rio and the Isle of Youth in Cuba, and the Mexican coast from Tulum to Cabo Catoche for what would be named Michael.
Michael's 50 mph sustained winds put it at the minimum for tropical storm strength.
The National Weather Service warned of possibly lethal flash floods hitting western Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala, Chiapas, Mexico and other parts of the Mexican and Central American Pacific coasts.
