Hurricane Sam strengthened into a Category 4 storm in the Atlantic Ocean on Saturday night, according to The Associated Press.
The hurricane, which was far from land and moving west-northwest at 8 mph, was considered no threat to land. No coastal watches or warning were in effect Sunday, the AP reported.
The storm was churning 990 miles east-southeast of the Northern Leeward Islands in the Caribbean Sea on Saturday night.
The hurricane had maximum sustained winds of 145 mph and could strengthen to 150 mph Sunday, said the National Hurricane Center, or NHC. At 11 a.m. Sunday, wind speeds remained at 145 mph.
Although the storm is not projected to hit land, it could cause rip current conditions off the Lesser Antilles early in the week, the AP reported.
Sam was the only hurricane in the Atlantic on Sunday, the NHC said.
