MIAMI - Tropical Storm Julia is maintaining its strength off the coast of the Carolinas but is expected to gradually start weakening.

The storm's maximum sustained winds Friday morning are near 40 mph (64 kph). The U.S. National Hurricane Center says little change in strength is expected Friday but gradual weakening is expected after that.

Julia is centered about 240 miles (386 kilometers) east-southeast of Charleston, South Carolina.

Meanwhile in the eastern Atlantic, Tropical Storm Karl is moving west with maximum sustained winds near 45 mph (72 kph). Little change in strength is expected over the next two days. Karl is centered about 640 miles (1,030 kilometers) west-northwest of the Cabo Verde Islands.

Elsewhere, Tropical Storm Ian is moving northeast in the north Atlantic but poses no threat to land.