Otto transitions to a tropical storm as it meanders over the Atlantic

Otto transitions to tropical storm in the Atlantic

MIAMI — Otto, which had been a subtropical storm, has transitioned to a tropical storm as it meanders over the Atlantic and could reach hurricane strength.

The National Hurricane Center says Tropical Storm Otto has maximum sustained winds Thursday near 60 mph (95 kph). The storm could become a hurricane by Friday night or Saturday.

Otto is located about 255 miles (410 kilometers) northeast of Grand Turk Island and is drifting northeast near 2 mph (4 kph).

Subtropical systems are hybrid weather formations that are usually weaker than hurricanes and tropical storms.