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Subtropical Storm Laura

WINK News Hurricane Central

By WINK News, The Associated Press & The National Hurricane Center

Story Created: Sep 29, 2008 at 11:51 AM EST

Story Updated: Sep 29, 2008 at 5:22 PM EST

MONDAY 9/29/2008 5:00 PM
Laura, 11th named storm, churns in open Atlantic

MIAMI (AP) - The National Hurricane Center says Subtropical Storm Laura is keeping its strength as it churns through the north central Atlantic, far from land.

The 11th named storm of the season was centered about 630 miles south of Cape Race, Newfoundland, at 5 p.m. EDT Monday. It's moving north-northwest about 9 mph.

Laura's maximum sustained winds are near 60 mph. Some strengthening is forecast in the next day before it moves over colder water.

Subtropical storms draw energy both from the atmosphere and the ocean surface and are more spread out than tropical storms. Tropical storms draw strength primarily from the water.

Laura was beginning to take on more characteristics of a tropical storm late Monday and could change categories.

MONDAY 9/29/2008 11:00 AM
MIAMI (AP) - The National Hurricane Center says Laura has formed over the north central Atlantic as the 11th named storm of the season.

The storm was centered about 695 miles south-southeast of Cape Rice, Newfoundland, at 11 a.m. Monday and moving west-northwest near 8 mph early Monday.

Laura's maximum sustained winds are near 60 mph. Some strengthening is forecast during the next day or two.

But the hurricane center says Laura is not expected to affect any land areas and will only be a threat to shipping interests in the far north Atlantic.

Laura is a subtropical storm, which forecasters say is different from a tropical storm but can still turn into a hurricane.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)