The National Hurricane Center in Miami says Hurricane Ike has again intensified to a Category 3 storm with winds sustained at 115 mph.

Winds had diminished a bit earlier in the day to 110 mph, changing it to a Category 2. The hurricane center says as of 2 p.m. EDT, the winds had again picked up.

The storm is expected to strengthen as it approaches Cuba and southern Florida by Monday.

Turks and Caicos and the southern Bahamas appeared to be first in line to take a hit from Ike Saturday.

A hurricane watch remains in effect for portions of eastern Cuba.