Subtropical Storm Laura forms in Atlantic

MIAMI - The National Hurricane Center says Subtropical Storm Laura has formed in the north central Atlantic Ocean.

The storm is centered about 1,015 miles west of Faial island in the Azores and moving west-northwest near 8 mph early Monday.

Laura’s maximum sustained winds are near 60 mph. Some strengthening is forecast and Laura could become a hurricane by Tuesday.

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.

Senior Hurricane Specialist Stacy Stewart says a subtropical storm is a hybrid of tropical storms and extratropical storms, which can cause winter nor’easters.