Subtropical Storm Rebekah forms in the north Atlantic

ORLANDO, Fla. — Subtropical Storm Rebekah has formed in the north Atlantic but currently poses no threats to land, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said.

The storm was centered Wednesday afternoon about 745 miles west of the Azores, a Portuguese island chain.

Rebekah has maximum sustained winds of 45 mph and is moving east at 13 mph.

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Forecasters expect the storm to weaken to a post-tropical cyclone as it approaches the Azores on Thursday or Friday.

There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect.

"This is the second storm these islands have been watching closely in past week as Hurricane Pablo just paid a visit," chief meteorologist Tom Terry said. "We've now had 17 named storms in the Atlantic basin this year."

He said warmer waters have grown or sustained seven named storms in the far eastern Atlantic this season: Chantal, Gabrielle, Humberto, Lorenzo, Melissa, Pablo and Rebekah.

The 2019 Atlantic hurricane season runs through Nov. 30.

Watch Terry track the storm live on Channel 9 Eyewitness News, and click here to download the free WFTV weather app.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Sub-Tropical Storm #Rebekah has formed WAY out in the NE Atlantic! Our 17th named storm this season. pic.twitter.com/FE9jwjZasC
— tom terry (@TTerryWFTV) October 30, 2019

Say hello to sub-tropical storm #Rebekah, WSW of the Azores in the far NE Atlantic. This is the second storm these islands have been watching closely in past week as Hurricane #Pablo just paid a visit. We've now had 17 named storms in the Atlantic basin this year. pic.twitter.com/dg25XQ51Bx
— tom terry (@TTerryWFTV) October 30, 2019