WASHINGTON: A new tropical depression, the sixth of the Atlantic hurricane season, has formed over the central Atlantic Ocean and could become a hurricane by Monday, the US National Hurricane Center said Saturday.

Tropical Depression Six currently packs winds of 45 kilometers (30 miles) per hour, is located 935 kilometers (580 miles) south of the Cape Verde Islands and is moving in a northwesterly direction at 15 kilometers (nine miles) per hour, the center said.

"There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect," it added.

However, it added, "some strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours and the depression could become a tropical storm tonight or tomorrow... and a hurricane by Monday."

No predictions were on the storm`s possible landfall, with a five-day forecast placing it about 1,600 kilometers (1,000 miles) northeast of Puerto Rico on Thursday.

BDST: 1026 HRS, August 22, 2010