T.S. Maria posing no threat

Tropical Storm Maria was plowing harmlessly across the northeastern Caribbean Sea early Monday, U.S. forecasters said. The National Hurricane Center in Miami said in its 11 p.m. EDT advisory that Maria was about 125 miles north of San Juan, Puerto Rico, and was heading to the west-northwest at 10 mph. The storm was producing sustained winds of 60 miles per hour with higher gusts. No coastal storm watches or warnings were in effect, forecasters said. Maria was expected to turn toward the northwest Monday, then veer to the north-northwest by Tuesday. That path would steer Maria away from the islands of the northeastern Caribbean and well east of the southeastern Bahamas Monday night and Tuesday. The storm, which was pumping tropical storm-force gales out 200 miles from its center, was not expected to gain any significant strength in the next two days. Two to 6 inches of rain was forecast for the region, however. eanwhile, what once was Tropical Storm Nate had degenerated into a remnant low over Mexico, the hurricane center said. What was left of the storm was centered about 75 miles west-southwest of Tuxpan, Mexico, and was pumping maximum sustained winds of just 30 mph with diminishing rains. It was moving to the west at about 8 mph. No watches or warnings were in effect.