ARLENE FORMS AS FIRST TROPICAL STORM OF SEASON

The first named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season formed Thursday afternoon some 1,700 miles east of the U.S. East Coast.

Tropical Storm Arlene is the second on record to form in April, the Weather Channel said. The only other to form during the month was Ana in 2003. Hurricane season officially starts June 1.

Arlene’s maximum sustained winds were near 45 mph, with higher gusts, the National Hurricane Center said. It was located about 815 miles west of the Azores. The system poses no threat to land and is forecast to dissipate Friday.