Tropical Storm “Leslie” forecast to become a hurricane in a day
Tropical Storm “Leslie” — the 12th named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season — is forecast to become a hurricane in a day or so. As of 15:00 UTC on Thursday, October 3, 2024, the storm was getting stronger and was located about 870 km (540 miles) southwest of the southernmost part of Cabo Verde Islands.
Satellite image of Tropical Storm "Leslie" at 17:50 UTC on October 3, 2024. Credit: NOAA/GOES-East, Zoom Earth, The Watchers
Tropical Storm “Leslie” was positioned approximately 870 km (540 miles) southwest of the southernmost point of the Cabo Verde Islands as of 15:00 UTC on Thursday. Leslie’s maximum sustained winds reached 72 km/h (45 mph) and the system is currently moving west at 8 km/h (5 mph), with a central pressure of 1 002 hPa.
Leslie is expected to maintain its westward track through Thursday night, with a slight increase in speed as it shifts west-northwest from Friday through Saturday, October 4 – 5. Tropical storm-force winds extend outward up to 72 km (45 miles) from the storm’s center.
Steady strengthening is anticipated, and Leslie is forecast to become a hurricane in a day or so. No warnings or advisories have been issued at this time.

1 Tropical Storm Leslie Advisory Number 5 – NHC – Released at 15:00 UTC, October 3, 2024
Rishav Kothari is Editor-in-Chief of The Watchers, where he runs the newsroom and covers earthquakes, volcanoes, severe weather and space weather.
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