MIAMI A tropical depression in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean is close to tropical storm strength, though forecasters weren't predicting a landfall location.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center said the depression was centered Wednesday morning about 1,285 miles (2,068 kilometers) east of the Southern Windward Islands.
Forecasters said it could reach tropical storm status sometime on Wednesday.
The depression could set a record for the earliest named seventh tropical storm of the Atlantic hurricane season if it strengthens into Tropical Storm Gonzalo before Friday.
Tropical Storm Gert formed on July 24, 2005, making it the current record holder.