Hurricane Alex formed in the eastern Atlantic Ocean on Thursday with maximum sustained winds estimated at 85 miles per hour for the out-of-season storm. The storm is moving north-northeast at a speed of 20 mph. Image courtesy of The National Hurricane Center

WASHINGTON, Jan. 14 (UPI) -- Hurricane Alex formed in the eastern Atlantic Ocean on Thursday with maximum sustained winds estimated at 85 mph for the out-of-season storm.

The National Hurricane Center said the hurricane could threaten the Azores archipelago, located up to 900 miles west of Portugal. Powerful winds and heavy rains are forecast for the Azores in the coming days with some areas expected to receive up to 7 inches of rain through Friday.


The storm is moving north-northeast at a speed of 20 mph. Alex is expected to dissipate in away from any landmass on Saturday before it comes close Greenland. The hurricane season begins June 1 and lasts until Nov. 30.