Tropical Storm Leslie strengthens with Bermuda in its sights

MIAMI (AP):

Tropical Storm Leslie is moving slowly in the Atlantic towards Bermuda and could become a hurricane soon.

Leslie's maximum sustained winds yesterday were 70 mph (110 kph). The United States National Hurricane Centre says the storm is expected to strengthen past the hurricane threshold of 74 mph (119 kph) today.

Swells from Leslie continued affecting the US East Coast, as well as Bermuda, the northern Leeward Islands, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The swells could cause life-threatening surf and rip currents.

Leslie is centred about 470 miles (760 kilometres) south-southeast of Bermuda and moving north-northwest near two mph (4 kph).

Farther out, Tropical Storm Michael is moving slowly north in the Atlantic but poses no threat to land. Michael's maximum sustained winds are near 50 mph (85 kph).