Tropical Storm Sandy Forms South of Jamaica

Tropical Storm Sandy has formed south of Jamaica and forecasters say the storm is expected to strengthen.

The National Hurricane Center in Miami said Sandy was about 395 miles (636 kilometers) south of Kingston, Jamaica, and had winds of 40 mph (64 kph). It is expected to head toward Jamaica and be near or over the island Wednesday.

The system could be near hurricane strength of 74 mph (119 kph) as it approaches Jamaica.

It's the third year in a row that the Atlantic basin has had at least 18 named storms, a higher than average year of about 11.

Meanwhile, a second tropical depression formed Monday far out in the Atlantic. It poses no threat to land.

The Atlantic storm season began June 1 and runs through Nov. 30.

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