TS Leslie regains power, picks up speed Tropical Storm Leslie could reintensify to near-hurricane strength as it approaches Newfoundland, where the center is expected to move across the southeastern region Tuesday, the National Hurricane Center said in its 8 a.m. Leslie, with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph, was about 805 miles miles south-southwest of Cape Race, Newfoundland, moving on a north-northeast path at 18 mph, the center said. (courtesy National Weather Service/National Hurricane Center) 10 (UPI) -- Newfoundland province in Canada was on alert Monday as Tropical Storm Leslie pumped out powerful winds as it raced up the Atlantic seaboard, forecasters said. After starting the day with 60 mph winds and 17 mph forward speed, Leslie strengthened to near-hurricane strength 70 mph winds as it sped toward Newfoundland at 35 mph by late afternoon. The storm's center was abut 550 miles southwest of Cape Race and is expected to move across the province's southeastern region early Tuesday, the National Hurricane Center said in its 5 p.m. EDT advisory. "However, the weather should begin to deteriorate later tonight," the center said. A hurricane watch was in effect for Newfoundland from Stones Cove to Charlottetown, the center said. A tropical storm warning was issued for Newfoundland from Indian Harbor to Triton. Leslie also was expected to transform to an extra-tropical, frontal cyclone, as it approaches the Canadian Maritimes, the National Hurricane Center said. Tropical storm-force winds extend outward up to 230 from Leslie's center. Swells along the U.S. and Canadian eastern seaboards and Bermuda could cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions, the center said. Leslie is expected to generate between 2-4 inches of rain across Newfoundland, with isolated pockets receiving up to 6 inches.