Tropical Storm Gaston is gaining strength in the Atlantic and could soon become a hurricane.

The storm’s maximum sustained winds early Wednesday have increased to near 70 mph (110 kph). The U.S. National Hurricane Center says additional strengthening is forecast and Gaston is expected to become a hurricane later in the day.

Gaston is centered about 975 miles (1,570 kilometers) west of the Cabo Verde Islands and is moving west-northwest near 17 mph (28 kph).

The storm is not currently a threat to land.

(AP)