Powerful Hurricane Igor churning across Atlantic; too early to tell if it will threaten land

Powerful Hurricane Igor churning across Atlantic

MIAMI — Powerful Hurricane Igor was lumbering westward Monday far out over the Atlantic Ocean.

Igor was at Category 4 strength with maximum sustained winds near 150 mph (240 kph).

Earlier in the day, the National Hurricane Center in Miami said Igor could reach Category 5 strength, but later said fluctuations in intensity were possible over the next two days.

It was too early to tell if the hurricane would pose a threat to land. No coastal watches or warnings were in effect Monday that were tied to Igor.

Igor was located about 880 miles (1,420 kilometers) east of the Northern Leeward Islands and was moving west near 10 mph (17 kph). A turn toward the west-northwest was expected Monday night or Tuesday, the hurricane center said.

Also in the Atlantic, Tropical Storm Julia was moving westward, away from the southern Cape Verde Islands. Julia was about 115 miles (185 kilometers) west of the southernmost islands and moving west-northwest near 14 mph (22 kph).

The storm’s maximum sustained winds were near 40 mph (65 kph). Julia could become a hurricane in a few days, the National Hurricane Center said.

Officials issued a tropical storm warning for parts of the Cape Verde Islands including Maio, Sao Tiago, Fogo and Brava.