Bermuda braces for Hurricane Ernesto

Bermuda is preparing for the arrival of Hurricane Ernesto on Saturday as the storm continued to gain strength as it headed north over the Atlantic. 

The hurricane was projected to pass 33 nautical miles to the west of Bermuda at 1pm local time on Saturday, but its exact path could still change between now and then. 

When it passes, it is expected to be a Category 2 hurricane, packing sustained winds of 100mph. 

The Bermuda Weather Service said residents could expect building swells and dangerous surf with rip currents to develop by Friday in advance of the onset of tropical storm to hurricane force winds. 

On Saturday, the island is expected to experience southwesterly winds of  50 to 70 knots, gusting to to 80 to 90 knots, soon veering westerly, easing 35 to 50 knots with gusts to 65 knots later on. 

Patchy rain and showers with fair to poor visibility were expected.

 At 6am Bermuda time today, Ernesto was packing winds of 75 knots gusting to 90 knots and was moving north at 11 knots. 

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