MIAMI (AP) — Leslie has strengthened into a hurricane in the Atlantic Ocean and isn’t threatening land, forecasters said. The storm was located Saturday about 725 miles (1,170 kilometers) west-southwest of the southernmost Cabo Verde Islands and had maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 kph). There were no coastal watches or warnings in effect.

Leslie had winds of 40 miles per hour as it became a tropical storm in the Atlantic late Wednesday. Forecasters expect it to become a hurricane in a couple of days as it slowly moves northwest, the National Hurricane Center said in its latest advisory.

The National Hurricane Center said Thursday Tropical Storm Leslie is likely to become a hurricane within the next couple of days.