Tropical Storm Ophelia has formed in the Atlantic Ocean. It is the 15th named storm the 2017 Atlantic hurricane season, which has already seen several deadly hurricanes including Hurricane Harvey in Texas and Hurricane Maria and Hurricane Irma in the Caribbean.
The National Hurricane Center says Tropical Storm Ophelia is getting better organized and is expected to become a hurricane by Thursday.
Tropical Storm #Ophelia is becoming better organized over the eastern Atlantic, and is expected to become a hurricane by Thursday.
Tropical Storm Ophelia has maximum sustained winds of about 50 miles per hour. The storm is moving toward the north-northeast at about 5 miles per hour. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 70 miles from its center and the storm is expected to strengthen over the next 48 hours.
Tropical Storm Ophelia is currently located about in the far eastern part of the Atlantic Ocean.
Ophelia getting better organized. Forecast to become a hurricane Thursday. No threat to land. @wdsu
The storm is still located in the open Atlantic Ocean and there are currently no coastal watches or warnings in effect. The storm is not expected to be an immediate threat to the United States but it could hit Europe. Forecasters are closely monitoring its movement.
Microwave of #Ophelia has a huge circulation center with very good symmetry. Should continue to develop as shear weakens.
#HurricaneOphelia to make its way to Europe eventually. Definitely one to watch closely… #Ophelia
The 2017 hurricane season has been particularly busy. Early Sunday morning, Hurricane Nate his the Gulf Coast of the United States causing major flooding. The storm made landfall near Biloxi, Mississippi but has since been downgraded to a tropical depression.
The 2017 Atlantic hurricane season is one of the top 10 busiest of all time, according to The Weather Channel.
Here is a list of all the named storms so far this year, according to the National Hurricane Center:
Arlene
Bret
Cindy
Don
Emily
Franklin
Gert
Harvey
Irma
Jose
Katia
Lee
Maria
Nate
Ophelia
The next storm that forms in the Atlantic Ocean will be named Philippe.
Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. The peak of the season is typically on Sept. 10, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association.
