Bertha has become the first hurricane of the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season, according to the US National Hurricane Centre.

A satellite picture from 5:45 a.m. ET Monday shows Hurricane Bertha over the Atlantic.

As of 5 a.m. ET, Bertha was 845 miles (1365 km) east of the northern Leeward Islands and was moving toward the west-northwest at 17 mph. It was creating winds of 75 mph – the minimum for hurricane status.

The winds are expected to strengthen over the next few days. The hurricane centre said it is still too early to determine whether Bertha will eventually affect any land areas.

See what the weather forecast is in your area

Image: AP Photo