Tropical Storm Fay formed early Sunday in the northern Atlantic Ocean, becoming the sixth named storm of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season.

The National Hurricane Center in Miami said at 5 a.m. EDT that Fay was centered about 450 miles southwest of the Azores with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph. The storm was moving north-northeast at 5 mph, and forecasters expected some additional strengthening during the day.

No coastal watches or warnings were in effect, and the system posed no threat to land. Fay remained well east of the United States and the Caribbean.

Later advisories showed winds increasing to 60 mph by afternoon as the compact storm continued its northeastward drift. Fay is forecast to turn southwestward Monday before weakening due to increasing wind shear and dry air. It is expected to become a post-tropical remnant low by Tuesday and dissipate by the end of the week.

The 2026 season has been notably quiet, with no hurricanes forming through mid-September. Forecasters have attributed the subdued activity to robust El Niño conditions and strong wind shear across the basin.

Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward only about 45 miles from Fay's center, limiting its overall impact even as it moves over open water.