It is moving roughly along the same path as Irma, the hurricane that devastated the region this month.
Hurricane warnings have been issued for Guadeloupe, Dominica, St Kitts and Nevis, Montserrat and Martinique.
A hurricane watch is now in effect for Puerto Rico, the US and British Virgin Islands, St Martin, St Barts, Saba, St Eustatius and Anguilla.
Some of these islands are still recovering after being hit by Irma - a category five hurricane which left at least 37 people dead and caused billions of dollars' worth of damage.
In its latest update on Monday, the NHC said that Maria had maximum sustained winds of 175 km/h (110mph).
The eye of the storm is 100 miles east of Martinique, and Maria is moving west-northwest at about 13mph.
"Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion," the NHC says.
The most southerly point of the Leeward Islands - where Maria will first strike - includes Antigua and Barbuda. The latter island was evacuated after being devastated by Irma.
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