/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/5O3FTOJ3DVFAFA4JPCT6ETHVYU.jpg "Hurricane Sam strengthened to a Category 4 storm on Saturday, according to the National Hurricane Center. The impact the storm will have on land, if any, was still uncertain, forecasters said.")
MIAMI — Far from land, Hurricane Sam strengthened into a Category 4 hurricane in the Atlantic Ocean on Saturday.
No coastal watches or warnings were in effect for Sam, which was about 1,025 miles east-southeast of the northern Leeward Islands in the Caribbean Sea on Saturday evening. It was moving west-northwest at 10 mph.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami said Sam had maximum sustained winds of 140 mph. Forecasters said Sam could get even stronger Sunday morning with winds of 150 mph.
Swells from the storm could cause dangerous rip current conditions off the coast of the Lesser Antilles early next week, officials said.
Meanwhile Teresa, which had been a subtropical storm, faded to a remnant low Saturday, about 150 miles north of Bermuda.
• • •
2021 Tampa Bay Times hurricane guide
IT’S STORM SEASON: Get ready and stay informed at tampabay.com/hurricane
THE TRUTH IS OUT THERE: Seven hurricane myths that need to go away
BACK-UP YOUR DATA: Protect your data, documents and photos
BUILD YOUR HURRICANE KIT: Gear up — and mask up — before the storm hits
PROTECT YOUR PETS: Here’s how to keep your pets as safe as you
NEED TO KNOW: Click here to find your evacuation zone and shelter
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