A tropical storm has come into existence in the northern Atlantic Ocean, and it is pointed away from any land. Fay became a tropical storm early Sunday and was some distance from land, with its position about 450 miles (730 kilometers) southwest of the Azores, per the National Hurricane Center in Miami. There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect, and the forecast calls for the storm to dissipate by the end of the week. Its maximum sustained winds were clocked at 45 mph (75 kph) at 5 a.m. EDT, and additional strengthening is expected in the short term. The storm was moving north-northeast at 5 mph (7 kph).
The Numbers Behind Fay
- Formation: Early Sunday, per the National Hurricane Center
- Location: About 450 miles (730 kilometers) southwest of the Azores
- Winds: Maximum sustained 45 mph (75 kph) at 5 a.m. EDT
- Movement: North-northeast at 5 mph (7 kph)
- Forecast: Likely to dissipate by the end of the week
- Azores: An autonomous region of Portugal about 800 miles (1,287 kilometers) off the coast of mainland Portugal
What the National Hurricane Center Says
The National Hurricane Center has determined that the storm shows no signs of posing a danger to land. The storm in question is a named system, and at present it is moving away from populated regions.
The Azores, an autonomous region of Portugal, lie roughly 800 miles (1,287 kilometers) off the coast of mainland Portugal. Fay is currently about 450 miles southwest of the islands, well away from any populated coastal area, and the forecast suggests it will dissipate before it can reach them.
Where Fay Is Moving
The storm’s north-northeast track means it is moving away from any populated regions of the Atlantic. At 5 mph (7 kph), it is drifting rather than racing toward land.
Why the Forecast Calls for Dissipation
A weak storm paired with a north-northeast track is doing in, and the forecast expects Fay to dissipate by the end of the week. The National Hurricane Center has determined that the storm shows no signs of posing a danger to land, and the forecast calls for the storm to dissipate by the end of the week.
What the Numbers Reveal
The wind speed of 45 mph (75 kph) is modest for a tropical storm. The 45 mph figure comes from a 5 a.m. EDT measurement, and the National Hurricane Center expects additional strengthening in the short term. The movement of 5 mph (7 kph) north-northeast means the storm is drifting rather than racing. At that speed, it will take days to reach the Azores.
The Forecast in Plain Terms
There is no danger of the storm reaching land, and there is no chance it will become a hurricane. The National Hurricane Center forecast says Fay will weaken and disappear by the end of the week. There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect.
This is the complete account. A named storm came into being, remains far from any populated area, is moving slowly, and is expected to pass without causing any harm.
The Atlantic is now hosting a named storm, which is moving out to sea and expected to fade by the end of the week.
See the a run of 13 images at ABC News.
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