Rene re-strengthens to a tropical storm over the Atlantic

MIAMI — Rene has re-strengthened to a tropical storm far out over the Atlantic.

The storm's maximum sustained winds increased to near 40 mph (65 kph) Wednesday morning with additional strengthening expected over the next few days, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said.

Rene was centred about 510 miles (815 kilometres) west-northwest of the Cabo Verde Islands and was moving west-northwest near 13 mph (20 kph). The storm was not posing a threat to any land.

Farther west in the Atlantic, Tropical Storm Paulette was expected to begin weakening. That storm's maximum sustained winds were near 60 mph (95 kph) with gradual weakening expected to begin Thursday or Friday, the National Hurricane Center said. Paulette was centred about 1,145 miles (1,845 kilometres) east of the Northern Leeward Islands and was moving west near 8 mph (13 kph).

The Associated Press