As Hurricane Isaac lashed New Orleans seven years to the day after deadly Hurricane Katrina struck, a new tropical storm -- Kirk -- formed Wednesday in the Atlantic, the National Hurricane Center said.

Kirk was located about 1,965 east-northeast of the northern Leeward islands, the Miami-based NHC said in an 0900 GMT advisory.

"Some strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours," the NHC said, though there was no immediate threat to land.