The first hurricane of the 2022 season has formed in the Atlantic, but is not considered to be a threat to the island.

The US-based National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration confirmed this afternoon that Tropical Storm Danielle, located about 885 miles west of the Azores, had reached hurricane strength.

An afternoon update from NOAA said: “The hurricane is forecast to meander over the open Atlantic during the next couple of days, then slowly turn towards the northeast early next week.

“Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 75mph with higher gusts. Some additional strengthening is forecast during the next couple of days.”

Meanwhile meteorologists continue to monitor a low pressure system located to the south of the island for potential development, but the likelihood that the system will become a named storm has dipped.

“Shower and thunderstorm activity has slightly increased since yesterday in association with an area of low pressure located several hundred miles east of the Leeward Islands,” NOAA said.

“However, overnight satellite-derived wind data indicate the circulation remains broad.

“Although environmental conditions are only marginally conducive, any additional development of the system over the next few days would lead to the formation of a tropical depression.

“The disturbance is expected to move slowly west-northwestward, towards the adjacent waters of the northern Leeward Islands.”

A US Air Force Reserve “hurricane hunter” aircraft is scheduled to investigate the system this afternoon.

Another system, located northwest of the Cabo Verde Islands, is also being monitored, although it has begun to move into an area that is less favourable for development.

While the 2022 hurricane season has had a slow start, forecasts suggest it will be busier than average with between 14 and 20 named storms.