MIAMI (AP) -- Forecasters say Ophelia has become the 10th hurricane of the 2017 Atlantic season, churning far out at sea and no threat to land.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center said in an advisory Wednesday afternoon that Ophelia gained hurricane status as its top sustained winds reached 75 mph (120 kph). The core of Ophelia is located about 760 miles (1,220 kilometers) southwest of the Azores and the storm is moving east at 3 mph (6 kph).
There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect.
The Miami-based hurricane center says Ophelia could strengthen some more over the next 48 hours.
From the National Hurricane Center:
At 500 PM AST (2100 UTC), the center of Hurricane Ophelia was located near latitude 30.0 North, longitude 36.1 West. Ophelia is moving toward the east near 3 mph (6 km/h). A slow northeast drift
is expected tonight and tomorrow, followed by an acceleration toward the east-northeast or northeast.
Maximum sustained winds are near 75 mph (120 km/h) with higher gusts. Some strengthening is possible over the next 48 hours.
Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 25 miles (35 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 70 miles (110 km).
Hurricane #Ophelia Advisory 11: Ophelia Becomes the 10th Hurricane of the 2017 Season. https://t.co/VqHn0uj6EM
— NHC Atlantic Ops (@NHC_Atlantic) October 11, 2017
