The year's first Atlantic hurricane lost strength Saturday morning, declining to Tropical Storm Beryl as it headed for the eastern islands of the Caribbean.
The storm produced top winds of 65 mph and continues to pose no threat to Florida, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Beryl had triggered a hurricane watch for Dominica and tropical storm watches for Barbados, Martinique, Guadeloupe, St. Lucia, St. Martin and St. Barthelemy. But the hurricane watch has been discontinued, although tropical storm watches remain in force.
Forecasts for the small storm's winds were reduced, with it no longer expected to generate 100 mph winds as it nears the Caribbean. The hurricane center had said the storm's extremely small size _ hurricane-force winds extended only 10 miles from its center _ makes its intensity difficult to predict.
By the time it reaches the central Caribbean Tuesday, the storm system could dissipate into a just an area of low pressure.
Beryl, "Weakening is expected once Beryl reaches the eastern Caribbean Sea on Monday," forecasters said.
