Tropical Storm Gordon Strengthens In Atlantic

MIAMI (AP) _ Tropical Storm Gordon is strengthening over the Atlantic but is expected to move away from the United States on a track over the open ocean.

The storm formed early Thursday and maximum sustained winds were near 50 mph (85 kph).

The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami says Gordon could grow into a hurricane by the weekend.

Gordon is centered about 640 miles (1,035 kilometers) east of Bermuda and imoving northeast at 16 mph (26 kph).

The storm’s forecast track shows it moving over the open waters of the north-central Atlantic for the next two days.

Meanwhile in the Pacific, Tropical Depression Hector is weakening and is expected to become a remnant low Thursday night or early Friday.