Meteorologists announce Kirk's farewell but predict Hurricane Leslie

Tropical storm Kirk is no longer, but tropical storm Leslie could become a hurricane in the north-central Atlantic Ocean in the coming days, the National Hurricane Center announced on Saturday. At 4 am, central time, Leslie swirled alone about 835 miles northeast of Bermuda and 1,300 miles west of the Azores.

Forecasters were expecting a boost while Leslie mingled with a warm ocean. They said the hurricane would probably get stronger by Wednesday.

The swells generated by Leslie affected Bermuda and the north Leeward Islands and will reach other parts of the Lesser Antilles, Greater Antilles and Bahamas until Saturday. These swells will likely reach portions of the US east coast by Sunday.

Kirk crossed the West Indies on Thursday and Friday, bringing strong winds and torrential rain in some areas, especially Barbados. But the storm dissipated when wind shear caused it to fall, the hurricane center said.