Tropical Storm Kirk forms in Atlantic, but no threat to land

NOAA

A new tropical wave, denoted by the orange circle at right on this NOAA graphic, has a 40 percent chance of developing into a tropical depression within the next 48 hours, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami.

Tropical Storm Kirk formed late Tuesday night in the central Atlantic Ocean, but the storm is not expected to be a threat to land.

At 5 a.m. Wednesday, Kirk was centered about 1,965 miles east-northeast of the Northern Leeward Islands and was moving west-northwest about 9 mph.

The National Hurricane Center in Miami said the storm is generating winds of 45 mph with higher gusts and that some strengthening is forecast during the next two days.

Meanwhile, another tropical wave exists beyond Kirk in the Atlantic. The system has a 40 percent chance of developing into a tropical depression within the next 48 hours, the Hurricane Center reports.

A broad low pressure system associated with the tropical wave is located about 550 miles west-southwest of the Cape Verde Islands, and associated shower activity is gradually becoming better organized. The wave is moving west at about 15 mph, the Hurricane Center reports.