Recon has confirmed that Earl is now a Hurricane.
From NHC:
"SUMMARY OF 830 AM AST...1230 UTC...INFORMATION
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LOCATION...17.1N 57.7W
ABOUT 365 MI...585 KM E OF THE NORTHERN LEEWARD ISLANDS
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...75 MPH...120 KM/HR
PRESENT MOVEMENT...W OR 280 DEGREES AT 18 MPH...30 KM/HR
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...985 MB...29.09 INCHES"

Position is about 240NM due east of the island of Antigua. Movement is to the west at 15 knots and a turn a little more toward the west northwest is expected later today along with a slight decrease in forward speed. The following warnings and watches are in effect as of 29/12Z:

"A HURRICANE WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR...
* ANTIGUA...BARBUDA...MONTSERRAT...ST. KITTS...NEVIS...AND ANGUILLA
* SAINT MARTIN AND SAINT BARTHELEMY
* ST. MAARTEN...SABA...AND ST. EUSTATIUS

A HURRICANE WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR...
* BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
* U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS
* PUERTO RICO INCLUDING THE ISLANDS OF CULEBRA AND VIEQUES

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR...
* BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
* U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS
* PUERTO RICO INCLUDING THE ISLANDS OF CULEBRA AND VIEQUES"

Residents of the northern Leeward Islands should prepare for hurricane force winds and heavy rains. Tropical Storm conditions are likely in the Virgin Islands and eastern Puerto Rico with the possibility of Hurricane conditions if Earl should maintain more of westward track.

Earl is expected to reach Category III strength by late Monday night/early Tuesday morning as he moves to the northwest well to the north of the Dominican Republic.
ED