Tropical Storm Gert expected to become hurricane

Published: Updated:

FORT MYERS, Fla. Tropical Storm Gert is getting a little stronger in the Atlantic Ocean, with swells expected to begin affecting portions of the U.S. East Coast later Monday.

The National Hurricane Center said Gert was centered about 455 miles west-southwest of Bermuda on Monday evening and had maximum sustained winds of 70 mph. It is moving toward the north at 8 mph.

A gradual turn toward the northeast with an increase in forward speed is forecast for the next 48 hours.

Gert is expected to become a hurricane late Monday or early Tuesday.

Swells generated by Gert will begin to affect portions of the coast of North Carolina and Virginia later in the day.

The Hurricane Center says these swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.

But no impact is expected for Florida.

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