Tropical Storm Kirk is forming and is expected to become a large, strong hurricane this week: NHC

Tropical Storm Kirk, the 11th named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, formed over the Atlantic on Monday, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC).

The storm, previously known as Tropical Depression 12, is expected to become a “large and strong hurricane” later this week, according to the NHC.

In their 11 a.m. statement, NHC officials said Kirk was located about 740 miles west-southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands. It was moving west at a speed of 12 mph, with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph.

MORE TROPICS NEWS: Will the potential tropical threat in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico impact Florida?

The storm is currently strengthening over the tropical Atlantic and is expected to strengthen into a major hurricane (Category 3 or higher) by midweek, officials said.

The system is not expected to have a direct impact on the United States.

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