The National Hurricane Center reports that Tropical Storm Zeta has formed off the coast of Cuba near the Yucatan Peninsula.
According to a Colorado State University hurricane researcher, it is the earliest named 27th Atlantic storm recorded.
As of 8 a.m. Sunday, forecasters say the storm is centered about 290 miles south-southeast of the western tip of Cuba, and about 275 miles southeast of Cozumel, Mexico.
A hurricane watch is in effect for Cozumel, as well as Tulum to Rio Lagartos, Mexico. A tropical storm warning is in effect for Pinar del Rio, Cuba.
The system has maximum sustained winds of 40 mph and is nearly stationary, but expected to reorganize and move to the northwest later Sunday.
It is forecast to pass south of western Cuba early Monday, then move near or over the northern Yucatan Peninsula or the Yucatan Channel late Monday before moving into the Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday.
Zeta is expected to intensify into a hurricane by late Monday or early Tuesday.
