(October 15, 2008)--Omar became the seventh hurricane of the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season Tuesday night, and was still gaining strength as it headed for the northern Leeward Islands on Wednesday.

Omar was a category 1 hurricane Wednesday afternoon, with maximum sustained winds of 85 miles per hour.

Forecasters say the storm could become a category 2 hurricane before passing over or near the Virgin Islands late Wednesday night.

Hurricane warnings are in effect for the U.S. and British Virgin Islands as well as several other islands in the region.

A hurricane watch and tropical storm warning remained in effect for Puerto Rico, but officials cautioned that could be upgraded to a hurricane warning by late Wednesday.

In addition to Omar's strong winds, rainfall amounts of up to 20 inches could cause flash flooding and mudslides.

Forecasters were also monitoring a tropical depression hugging the northern coast of Honduras.

Tropical Depression Sixteen was expected to produce very heavy rain over Honduras, Guatemala, and Belize as it progressed slowly west-southwest at 6 miles per hour.

The depression could still become a tropical storm, but meteorologists say the storm's close proximity to land will prevent much strengthening.

Expanded Forecast Center Storm Resources

Take Advantage Of Our Hurricane Tracker. Download News Central Desktop Alert

National Hurricane Center Web Site

National Weather Service Web Site