Danny strengthens into Category 2 hurricane, no threat to land yet

Hurricane Danny has strengthened into a Category 2 hurricane as it moves across the Atlantic.

The hurricane's maximum sustained winds Friday morning had increased to near 105 mph (169 kph). The U.S. National Hurricane Center says some additional strengthening is possible but Danny should weaken during the weekend.

The hurricane is centered about 930 miles (1497 kilometers) east of the Leeward Islands and is moving west-northwest near 10 mph (16 kph).

Danny is a tiny hurricane with hurricane force winds only extending outward up to 15 miles (24 kilometers) from its center.

Hurricane Danny doesn't currently pose a threat to land but the Hurricane Center says those in the Leeward Islands should monitor its progress.

The Christian Science Monitor reported Thursday,

Hurricane Danny is projected to make landfall in the Lesser Antilles by Monday morning and Puerto Rico could see downpours and sharp winds by Tuesday. By then reports say it could be downgraded, either to a tropical storm or tropical wave. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration cautioned that the compact size of the hurricane makes it difficult to predict, and that Danny is subject to fluctuations in strength, both up and down.

Forecasters have yet to say if it could reach South Florida before dissipating.

The latest US government projections are for six to 10 named storms this season, with as many as four reaching hurricane status.

This storm season, which runs from June 1 through Nov. 30, only one of the expected storms is anticipated to develop into a major hurricane, according to the NOAA.