Subtropical Storm Patty is stirring to life in the North Atlantic and will flood the Azores

MIAMI – A strong storm in the North Atlantic has developed into subtropical Storm Patty, the National Hurricane Center said Saturday morning.

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

A subtropical storm is a hybrid storm that draws some power from the warm waters of the Atlantic, but also from the traditional battle between warm and colder air as in traditional storms. A subtropical storm does not have cold and warm fronts, but rather a defined center and a closed circulation.

However, according to the National Weather Service, the area of ​​maximum winds within the circulation is typically farther from the center and there is less symmetry.

What is the forecast for Subtropical Storm Patty?

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

The only land standing in Patty's path over the next few days are the volcanic islands of the Azores, which are expected to experience tropical storm-force winds and 1 to 2 inches of rain through Sunday. Additionally, Patty could bring life-threatening surf and rip currents to the archipelago.

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

Patty is the 16th named storm of the Atlantic Hurricane Season, which runs through November 30th.