Tropical Storm Ophelia expected to become hurricane, no US threat

FORT MYERS, Fla. Tropical Storm Ophelia is expected to become a hurricane in the days ahead, the National Hurricane Center said.

The system, which poses no threat to Southwest Florida, continues moving in the Atlantic Ocean, according to WINK meteorologist Matt Devitt.

“Ophelia could become the 10th hurricane in a row. That hasn’t happened since 1893,” Devitt said. “That is a testament to how active the season has been.”

Hurricane season runs through Nov. 30.

Ophelia has maximum sustained winds of 50 mph and is moving southeast at 6 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center’s 11 p.m. advisory. The storm is about 785 miles southwest of the Azores.

It’s forecast to remain largely stationary for the next few days before taking a northeastward turn.

No coastal watches are warnings are in effect.

MORE: Tropical Storm Ophelia forms in Atlantic; no threat to SWFL