As clean-up efforts continue in the eastern United States in the wake of Hurricane Irene, the next tropical Atlantic storm has already formed and could become a hurricane later Wednesday.

Tropical Storm Katia has slowed slightly as it moves west across the Atlantic Ocean at 33 kilometers per hour. Katia's top winds have already been recorded at 100 kilometers per hour. There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect at this time.

Experts at the United States' National Hurricane Center say it is too early to predict a path for the Atlantic's 11th named storm. Forecasters believe Katia will become a Category Three storm on a five-point scale Wednesday and approach the Caribbean's Leeward Islands by Sunday.

The National Hurricane Center said the beginning of September is the peak of hurricane season. Experts predict an active 2011 hurricane season with eight to 10 hurricanes possible. An average hurricane season typically yields as many as eight storms.