Subtropical depression forms over the western Atlantic Ocean; no threat to land

Subtropical depression forms over the western Atlantic Ocean; no threat to land

2010-10-06 15:53:44 GMT+7 (ICT)

MIAMI (BNO NEWS) -- A subtropical depression formed on early Wednesday morning over the western Atlantic Ocean, forecasters said, but it is not threatening land.

Subtropical Depression Seventeen formed just before 5:00 a.m. EDT (09:00 UTC) 270 miles (435 kilometers) north-northwest of San Juan, Puerto Rico, and about 710 miles (1145 kilometers) south of Bermuda.

It has maximum sustained winds of 35 miles (55 kilometers) per hour, said the U.S. National Hurricane Center. "Slow strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours and the system could become a tropical or subtropical storm later on Wednesday."

The depression is moving toward the northwest near 8 miles (13 kilometers) per hour. "A turn toward the north-northwest and a decrease in forward speed are expected by late tonight. A turn toward the northeast and an increase in forward speed are forecast on Friday," said the Miami-based center.

The center added that heavy rainfall is possible in the northern Leeward Islands and Puerto Rico. There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect.

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