Hurricane Earl continues to get stronger as it spins about in the Atlantic; while it advances closer to Bermuda, it should curve to the east of the island nation, missing a direct hit. Nevertheless, out of an abundance of caution, authorities there have issued both a Tropical Storm Warning and Hurricane Watch for Bermuda.
In the latest advisory issued by the National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami, Florida, Hurricane Earl was located about 390 miles south of Bermuda and had maximum sustained winds of 90 mph. The storm was moving due north at 8 mph. The minimum central pressure was 971 mb or 28.67″.
The Hurricane Watch and Tropical Storm Warnings in effect now for Bermuda have slightly different meanings. A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area, in this case beginning Thursday afternoon into Friday morning. A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours.
While Earl is moving to the north now, the NHC expects it to turn toward the north-northeast tonight followed by a turn to the northeast during the day on Thursday with a gradual increase in forward speed. As long as that track verifies, the worst of Earl should remain well east of Bermuda. However, any shifts to the west by Earl could bring more severe conditions to the island.
While maximum sustained winds are now up to 90 mph, the NHC expects significant strengthening is during the next couple of days, and Earl is expected to become a major hurricane tomorrow. Hurricane Earl should be closest to Bermuda on Friday morning as a powerful, major hurricane with maximum sustained winds in excess of 110 mph.
While a direct hit isn’t expected, tropical storm conditions are expected on Bermuda beginning Thursday afternoon. Hurricane conditions are possible on Bermuda
beginning Thursday afternoon. Again, any shift in path a little to the west or east could have dramatically different implications to Bermuda.
Beyond gusty winds, Bermuda will also see moderate rain 1-2″ is expected across Bermuda through Friday.
Rough surf from Earl should reach Bermuda tonight. And while Earl is moving away from the U.S. East Coast, surf the storm is generating should begin to impact the U.S. coast tomorrow. Swells from the hurricane are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions through the weekend and everyone from Maine to Florida should pay careful attention to changing surf conditions, heed local warnings, and stay away from the ocean if hazardous conditions are present.
