Hurricane Kirk has strengthened into a Category 3 storm in the Atlantic Ocean, the U.S. National Hurricane Center announced on Wednesday. With maximum sustained winds of 195 kilometers per hour, Kirk is expected to rapidly grow into a major hurricane.
The storm is currently located approximately 1,855 kilometers east-northeast of the Lesser Antilles and is moving northwest at 19 kilometers per hour. While there are no coastal watches or warnings in effect and Kirk is not yet deemed a threat to land, forecasters warn that swells generated by the storm could affect portions of the Leeward Islands and Bermuda by the weekend. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.
Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Leslie formed late Wednesday in the eastern Atlantic Ocean. Forecasters predict that Leslie could strengthen into a hurricane by the weekend. The storm is located about 790 kilometers southwest of the southernmost tip of the Cabo Verde Islands, with maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour. Like Kirk, Leslie currently poses no immediate threat to land, and no coastal watches or warnings are in effect.
The formation of these storms comes as many residents in the U.S. Southeast continue to grapple with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which struck last week. Communities are still recovering, with many lacking running water, cellphone service, and electricity, while rescuers search for those unaccounted for after the devastating storm.
Reference(s):
Hurricane Kirk strengthens into a Category 3 storm in the Atlantic
cgtn.com
