Ophelia becomes tropical storm in open Atlantic

MIAMI (AP) -- Ophelia has grown into a tropical storm in the open Atlantic east of the Leeward Islands, too far from land to pose any immediate threat.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami said Ophelia had maximum sustained winds of about 50 mph (85 kph) Wednesday. Its forecast track would take it generally northward past Bermuda this weekend.

Farther east in the Atlantic, Tropical Storm Philippe had maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (64 kph). The storm is expected to weaken and could become a tropical depression by late Thursday.

In the Pacific, Hurricane Hilary has weakened to a Category One storm with winds of 80 mph (130 kph). Hilary is not expected to near Mexico's coast.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)