The hurricane season added yet another storm on the list this week, the ninth of the season. The U.S. National Hurricane Center In Miami, Florida said Tropical Storm Ike has formed in the Atlantic and is now moving towards west or west-northwest under the influence of a subtropical ridge to its north.

It appears that the tropical storm might turn into a minimal hurricane within the next few days, although making an exact prediction still remains quite challenging. Tropical Storm Ike is expected to strengthen within the next two days, NHC warned.

Tropical storm force winds now extend to 115 miles (or 185 km) from the center, while the maximum sustained winds near 50 mph (or 85 km/h). The last reports show Ike moving west at 15 mph, but more details are to be expected within the next NHC advisories.

Ike formed off the coast of Africa at the end of last month, and developed further as it reached the Cape Verde islands. At first, NHC classified it as a tropical depression, but changes in its structure after September 1 determined its classification as a tropical storm.

NHC reported on September 1 that changes in the cloud pattern associated with the depression and an increased convection pointed to a tropical storm. Furthermore, NHC predicted on Monday that Ike could turn into a hurricane within 36 hours.

The direction of Tropical Storm Ike is the most worrying, since it appears to follow a similar path to that of Hurricane Hanna. Based on the rate of strengthening, Ike should turn into a hurricane north of Hispaniola.