( CNN ) -- Tropical Storm Emily formed in the Caribbean Monday , prompting area governments to issue warnings and watches , the National Hurricane Center said . Tropical storm warnings were in effect for Dominica , Puerto Rico , the Dominican Republic and the islands of Guadeloupe , Desirade , Les Saintes and Marie Galante , meaning that tropical storm conditions were expected within 36 hours . Haiti , the U.S. Virgin Islands and St. Kitts , Nevis , Montserrat and Antigua were under a tropical storm watch . Storm conditions were possible in those areas within 48 hours . Tropical Storm Emily was located some 105 miles west of Dominica Monday night , according to the hurricane center . It was heading west at 17 miles per hour , packing winds of about 40 miles per hour , with higher gusts . Tropical storm force winds extended outward up to 70 miles . The center of the storm is expected to move across the northeastern Caribbean Sea Monday night and approach the island of Hispaniola Tuesday night and Wednesday . A long-term forecast from the National Hurricane Center showed the storm could threaten Florida by the weekend . `` This one is pretty vigorous , so we 're watching it , '' said Dennis Feltgen , spokesman for the Miami-based center , before the storm formed . Aircraft was sent to the area on Monday and was expected to resume reconnaissance work on Tuesday , he said . `` This is a great reminder that we 're fast approaching the beginning of the peak of the ( hurricane ) season , '' said Feltgen , calling on residents to get prepared now . Also on Monday , the National Hurricane Center said that Eugene became the fifth hurricane of the eastern Pacific season . Located about 435 miles south-southwest of Manzanillo , Mexico , the Category 1 hurricane is not forecast to hit land .
NEW : Tropical storm warnings are in effect for Haiti , Florida , elsewhere . the Dominican Republic is under a tropical storm watch . Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 70 miles . Guadeloupe , Desirade could threaten Florida by Wednesday .