Ophelia strengthens into a hurricane, the 10th this season- tying the record

Will never impact the United States may impact Portugal

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – At 5:00a.m. on Wednesday, Ophelia

Tropical Storm Ophelia formed in the Atlantic and the first advisories were issued from the National Hurricane Center at 11a.m. Monday. It became the 10th hurricane of the 2017 season, tying the record for 10 consecutive storms to reach hurricane strength,  set in the late 1800s.

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The center of Ophelia was located well west-southwest of the Azores and is moving slowly under 5 mph. 

As of Thursday morning Ophelia is moving east at 3 mph. The maximum sustained winds are at 85 mph and the  Hurricane force winds extend 25 miles out from the center. 

Ophelia's slow forward motion is expected to continue and then she will make a turn to the northeast and may pass close to the west coast of Ireland and Scotland Monday.

By then, enough cold and dry air will entrain into the circulation of Ophelia to not allow it to be classified as tropical.