MIAMI (AP) — A rare January hurricane has formed far out in the Atlantic, and U.S. officials say it’s the first hurricane to form in the month of January since 1938.
A hurricane warning has been issued for the Azores. The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami says in a Facebook post that there hasn’t been a hurricane present during the month of January since 1955, when Alice formed in late December 1954 and carried over into the next month.
Alex’s maximum sustained winds on Thursday morning were near 85 mph (140 kph).
Alex is centered about 490 miles (790 kilometers) south of Faial Island in the central Azores and is moving north-northeast near 20 mph (31 kph).
The U.S. National Hurricane Center says Alex will move near or over parts of the Azores on Friday.