Tropical Depression Six has strengthened into Tropical Storm Fiona. At 5 pm Wednesday, The National Hurricane Center said the storm was located 1480 miles to the west of the Cabo Verde Islands.  Maximum sustained winds were at 40 mph and the storm was moving northwest at 16 mph.

Although the official forecast track has shifted a bit further to the west, the storm is still expected to move through the open Atlantic Ocean and be a shipping interest only. At the present time, Fiona poses no long-term threat to Florida or the United States.

Dry air to the storm’s north and west will likely prevent rapid strengthening. The National Hurricane Center currently projects Fiona to remain a Tropical Storm over the next five days. Residents or visitors to Bermuda should continue to monitor the storm closely, as there is a possibility of some influence from Fiona this weekend.

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