Hurricane Sam nears major status
The storm was forecast to strengthen
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Hurricane Sam was expected to strengthen into a major storm on Saturday.
According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Sam was located over the Atlantic Ocean approximately 1,150 miles east-southeast of the northern Leeward Islands.
SMALL UTAH TOWN STOPPED CONSTRUCTION TO SAVE WATER DURING DROUGHT
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The storm was moving toward the west-northwest near 13 mph with slower movement to the west-northwest forecast over the weekend ahead of a turn to the northwest on Monday.
Sam's maximum sustained winds have increased to near 110 mph with higher gusts and hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 15 miles from the center.
Tropical-storm-force winds from the Category 2 hurricane extend outward up to 60 miles.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect.
Although the agency noted that Sam is a "small hurricane," additional strengthening is forecast to take place.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Sam is the 18th named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season and the fourth named storm to form in less than a week.
Subtropical storm Teresa formed Friday north of Bermuda and was weakening and projected to dissipate on Sunday.
Forecasters said Teresa was located about 150 miles north-northwest of Bermuda on Saturday morning and will likely be the ninth "shortie" of the hurricane season.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A shortie refers to a system that is short-lived and relatively weak.
The NHC said the storm was moving toward the west-northwest near 6 mph.
Its maximum sustained winds are near 40 mph with higher gusts and winds of 40 mph extend outward up to 140 miles from the center.
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"Teresa is expected to become a remnant by tonight and dissipate on Sunday," the agency wrote.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.