By Carlie Kollath Wellscwells From NOLA

Tropical Storm Ophelia strengthened overnight as it moved closer to Europe, the National Hurricane Center said Wednesday morning (Oct. 11). It’s expected to become a hurricane by Wednesday night or Thursday.

As of 4 a.m., Ophelia was 785 miles southwest of the Azores and was moving southeast at 6 mph. It has maximum sustained winds of 65 mph and is expected to strengthen within 48 hours. The storm’s projected path currently has it brushing the coasts of Portugal and Spain on Monday. (See the latest path)

The storm currently poses no immediate threat to land, forecasters said, and no watches and warnings have been issued.

Tropical-storm-force-winds extend 60 miles from the center. The estimated minimum central pressure is 996 mb (29.42 inches).

IMAGES:
Tropical Storm Ophelia strengthened overnight Wednesday as it moved closer to Europe. (Image via National Hurricane Center)
Tropical Storm Ophelia: 5-day tracking map National Hurricane Centre

For more on this story go to: http://www.nola.com/hurricane/index.ssf/2017/10/ophelia_tropical_storm_europe.html