UPDATE: Tropical Storm Katia Upgraded to a Hurricane

[Updated 11:30 p.m.] Tropical Storm Katia is now Hurricane Katia, the second hurricane of the season, according to the National Hurricane Center based in Miami, Fla. 

Katia is moving in a west-northwest direction at 20 mph. Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 75 mph with higher gusts. 

Katia is a Category 1 hurricane with additional strengthening expected in the next 48 hours, according to the NHC. It could become a major hurricane by the weekend.

Currently it has major hurricane force winds extending out 25 miles from its center with tropical storm force winds extending out 125 miles from its center. 

Patch will update this story Thursday after the next update from the NHC.

[Updated 5 p.m.] Tropical Storm Katia continues to grow in size and wind magnitude, according to the latest update from the National Hurricane Center based in Miami, Fla.

All indications is the tropical storm will grow into a hurricane later tonight as the maximum winds continue to increase and are near 70 mph now with higher gusts possible.

The storm continues moving in a west-northwest direction at 20 mph. Storm speed will gradually slow over the next 48 hours.

Winds are now extending out 125 miles from the eye of the storm. 

The next advisory from the NHC will be at 11 p.m. tonight. 

Patch will continue to monitor the storm and provide updates.

The National Hurricane Center in Miami, Fla. said today Tropical Storm Katia, with sustained winds of 65 mph, is likely to become a hurricane later today.

Although the NHC says the tracking of the storm models is currently uncertain, it is warning the storm is moving in a north-northwestern direction at 21 mph and has extended winds being felt 85 miles away with the storm strengthening in the next 48 hours.

An updated advisory from the NHC will be available at 5 p.m. today.

Patch will update this story.