MIAMI (October 11, 2012)--Tropical Storm Patty has formed Thursday in the Atlantic east of the Bahamas, but forecasters expect the storm to be short-lived.
The National Hurricane Center in Miami named the storm Thursday afternoon.
Patty's center was about 255 miles northeast of the central Bahamas and it was stationary with maximum sustained winds of 40 miles per hour.
Forecasters say the storm could begin moving slowly to the southwest Thursday night and Friday and some weakening is likely on Friday.
No coastal watches or warnings were in effect.
| Cat. | Winds | Damage |
| 1 | 74-95 mph | Minimal |
| 2 | 96-110 mph | Moderate |
| 3 | 111-130 mph | Extensive |
| 4 | 131-155 mph | Extreme |
| 5 | > than 155 mph | Catastrophic |
