Tropical Storm Danny Expected to Hit Hurricane Strength Later This Week

By ADAM SWIFT (Patch Staff)

It is far too early to batten down the hatches in Wilmington, but forecasters are keeping an eye on Tropical Storm Danny, which is could become a hurricane by Thursday.

The tropical depression is in the Atlantic Ocean east of the Caribbean and is the season’s fourth tropical storm.

Late Tuesday night, the storm was about 1,500 miles east of the Windward Islands and was moving west at about 14 miles per hour, according to the National Hurricane Center.

A track to the west-northwest is expected during the next 48 hours. Maximum sustained winds remain near 50 mph with higher gusts.

Some strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours, and Danny could become a hurricane on Thursday, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 45 miles (75 km) from the center.

The storm is currently not affecting any land, and it is too early to forecast landfall in the Caribbean, much less the East Coast or New England at this time.

While the storm does not pose an immediate threat to the United States, forecasters will be monitoring it.

Experts are calling for below average hurricane activity this season.

Image via National Weather Service