The Cat 2 storm is expected to close in on us in the early hours of the morning
Image from the Bermuda Weather Service
Hurricane Imelda continues to barrel towards Bermuda.
According to the noon update from the Bermuda Weather Service (BWS), the now Category 2 storm is expected to pass within 25 nautical miles of, or directly over, Bermuda at 1 am, Thursday, October 2.
After a short reprieve from Hurricane Humberto today, the BWS says Imelda will move in by late afternoon with more rain, showers and possible thunderstorms.
Overnight, you can expect conditions to deteriorate including winds of 30-50kt with gusts to 70kt later in the evening. There is also the chance for winds to peak at 60-80kt with gusts to 100kt, especially over elevated or exposed areas.
According to the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami, data from Air Force Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicate that maximum sustained winds have increased to near 100 mph (155 km/h) with higher gusts.
The NHC also said some additional strengthening is possible before Imelda passes close to Bermuda tonight.
Currently, hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 60 miles (95 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 230 miles (370 km), according to the NHC.
By early Thursday morning, the BWS forecasts that Imelda will be east of Bermuda, resulting in a few showers before conditions likely start to brighten into the afternoon.
