Tropical storm strengthens in Atlantic

Tropical Storm Delta neared hurricane strength tonight in the central Atlantic, continuing a record-breaking hurricane season.

The 25th named storm of the season formed yesterday, but poses a threat only to shipping, according to the National Hurricane Centre in Miami, Florida. It is not headed for the United States.

“It’s way out there in the middle of nowhere,” hurricane specialist Stacy Stewart said.

Delta’s top sustained winds have strengthened to 70mph and the storm is expected to intensify. If winds reach 74mph, it would be the season’s 14th hurricane.

Delta is centred about 1,160 miles south west of the Azores. It is nearly stationary, and forecasters said the storm could eventually head north.

The 25 named tropical storms and hurricanes this year broke the record for the busiest hurricane season. The previous record was 21 storms, set in 1933. The 13 hurricanes so far this year also broke the record of 12 set in 1969.

The six-month Atlantic hurricane season officially ends next Wednesday, but forecasters warn tropical storms and hurricanes can develop in December.