Depression Atlantic strengthens into Tropical Storm Ophelia

The National Hurricane Center says a depression in open Atlantic has strengthened into Tropical Storm Ophelia.

The center of Ophelia was located near latitude 32.3 North, longitude 39.0 West. Ophelia is moving toward the northeast near 7 mph (11 km/h) and poses no immediate threat to land.  The tropical storm is expected to turn toward the southeast and then south at about the same rate of forward speed during the next couple of days.

Maximum sustained winds are near 50 mph (85 km/h) with higher gusts. Some strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours and Ophelia is expected to become a hurricane by Wednesday.