BWS Issues Tropical Storm Watch

[Updated] The Bermuda Weather Service [BWS] issued a Tropical Storm Watch this afternoon [Sept.29], saying Hurricane Ophelia is a ‘potential threat’ to Bermuda. Its closest point of approach to Bermuda within 72 hrs is forecast to be 115 nautical miles away at 3pm on Saturday October 1st.

“Winds increase on Friday, with showers later, as Hurricane Ophelia approaches from the south. Strong winds, showers with possible thunder, and rough seas on the south shore can be expected for the weekend as Ophelia passes about 120 miles to our east,” said the BWS.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center said, “Maximum sustained winds have increased near 70 mph [110 km/h] with higher gusts. Ophelia could become a hurricane later today or Friday.”

Update 6:00pm: The U.S. National Hurricane Center said Ophelia is now a category 1 hurricane, with maximum sustained winds increasing to near 75 mph [120 km/h], and that “some additional strengthening is forecast during the next day or so.”

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