Subtropical Storm Patty comes to life in the North Atlantic Ocean, about to drench the Azores

MIAMI— A powerful storm in the northern Atlantic Ocean has developed into Subtropical Storm Patty, the National Hurricane Center said Saturday morning.

Patty had packed winds of 50 mph and was just over 400 miles west/northwest of the Azores at 5 a.m. ET, the NHC said.

Subtropical Storm Patty

(FOX Weather)

A subtropical storm is a hybrid storm that draws some strength from the warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean, but also from the traditional battle between warm and colder air, like traditional storms. A subtropical storm will not have cold and warm fronts, but a defined center and closed circulation.

However, according to the National Weather Service, the area of ​​maximum wind within the circulation tends to be further away from the center and has less symmetry.

What are the forecasts for subtropical storm Patty?

Patty is expected to maintain its current strength Saturday and then gradually weaken Sunday, perhaps becoming a post-tropical cyclone by late Sunday, according to the NHC.

The only land standing in Patty’s way in the coming days are the volcanic islands of the Azores, which are likely to experience tropical storm force winds and 1 to 2 inches of rain through Sunday. Additionally, Patty could bring life-threatening surf and currents to the archipelago.

The remnants of the storm could eventually reach Portugal and western Spain early next week.

Patty will be the 16th named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs through November 30.