Gordon peters out near Azores

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MIAMI, Aug. 20 (UPI) -- Hurricane Gordon deteriorated into a post-tropical cyclone Monday out over the north Atlantic Ocean, U.S. forecasters said.

Gordon started the day as a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph but by 5 p.m. EDT it had weakened substantially, with sustained winds topping out at 45 mph, the National Hurricane Center in Miami said.

The storm was about 370 miles east-northeast of the Azores, heading to the east-northeast at 16 mph. It was still pushing gale-force winds outward up to 105 miles from its center, but because it was so far out to sea, the hurricane center said no coastal watches or warnings were necessary.

Gordon was expected to weaken further and slow down while turning toward the east Monday night, then veer to the southeast by Tuesday night.

The cyclone is expected to dissipate in a couple of days, the forecasters said.