As this latest RADAR image from the Bermuda Weather Service shows, Major Hurricane Nicole, a Category 3 hurricane, is directly over Bermuda with most of the island captured within the eye.
The eye features no wind or rain; however, as the storm continues to push ahead, the rear eyewall of the hurricane will pass over the island, lashing Bermuda with destructive winds, surf, and heavy rain.
Maximum sustained winds are near 120 mph (195 km/h) with higher gusts. Nicole is a category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Gradual weakening is forecast during the next couple of days.
Nicole is a large hurricane. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 70 miles (110 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 185 miles (295 km). An automated surface station on Pearl Island in Bermuda measured sustained winds of 87 mph (141 km/h) with a gust to 119 mph (191 km/h). The latest minimum central pressure reported by reconnaissance aircraft is 961 mb (28.38 inches). The official reporting station on Bermuda recently reported a pressure of 963 mb (28.44 inches).
