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© NASATropical Storm Maria satellite image
Tropical storm Maria has become a Category 1 hurricane as it races towards Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Canadian Hurricane Centre issued a statement late Thursday afternoon indicating Maria had now reached maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometres an hour.

CBC meteorologist Ryan Snoddon says the increased winds make Maria a Category 1 hurricane. He said it was moving toward Newfoundland at almost 60 kilometres an hour by early evening.

"It is expected to be a tropical storm," said Snoddon, "but perhaps just less than a Category 1 hurricane when it does approach.

"Tropical storm warnings have now been issued for the entire Avalon, including the St. John's metro area. A hurricane watch is now in effect for the southern parts of the Avalon so the tropical storm watch is now a hurricane watch."

The latest numbers from Environment Canada are predicting winds gusting to 100 kilometres per hour along the southern Avalon by Friday evening and rainfall amounts of up to 80 mm.

For St. John's and the Avalon Peninsula North, Environment Canada is expecting winds gusting up to 80 kilometres per hour by early evening and rainfall amounts of approximately 50 mm.

Snoddon said as the storm continues to track northward, it is expected to strengthen overnight while still in warmer waters but as it approaches the island and runs in to colder waters, the storm should weaken slightly.