Data from a NOAA Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicates that Tropical Depression Thirteen has strengthened and is now Tropical Storm Laura with maximum sustained winds of around 45 mph (75 km/h).
The aircraft also found that the center of Laura is located south of the previously estimated position.
As a result, a tropical storm watch is still in effect for the British Virgin Islands. A tropical storm watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours.
At 500 AM, the center of Tropical Depression Thirteen was located near latitude 17.8 North, longitude 58.5 West or approximately 385 miles east south east of the British Virgin Islands. The depression is moving toward the west-northwest near 21 mph and this motion is expected to continue for the next few days.
On the forecast track, the depression is expected to move near or north of the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico on Saturday.
Maximum sustained winds remain near 35 mph with higher gusts.
More details to come on our 6pm newscast.