Tropical Storm Katia speeds up in Atlantic

MIAMI, Aug. 30 (UPI) -- Tropical Storm Katia picked up speed over the Atlantic Ocean late Tuesday and could become a hurricane within the next day, U.S. forecasters said.

The National Hurricane Center said in its 11 p.m. EDT advisory the storm, moving west-northwest at 22 mph with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph and higher gusts, was about 885 miles west of the southernmost Cape Verde Islands.

No coastal watches or warnings were in effect. Tropical storm force winds extend about 85 miles outward from the storm's center.

Katia was expected to lose a bit of forward speed during the next two days and reach hurricane intensity Wednesday, forecasters said.