Hurricane Gonzalo has grown into a category three hurricane as it moves in the open Atlantic. A turn toward the north-northwest is forecast by late Wednesday. On the forecast track, the center of Gonzalo will continue to move over the open Atlantic Ocean today and will remain well to the east of the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Forecasters predict the system could become a Category 4 hurricane by Thursday.

Hurricane Gonzalo Advisory

11 p.m. — Gonzalo moving northwestward over the Atlantic with 125 mph winds.

Watches and Warnings

Changes with this advisory:

The Bermuda Weatehr Service has issued a Hurricane Watch for Bermuda.

Summary of watches and warnings in effect: 

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for:

*Bermuda

Discussion and 48-hour outlook

At 11 p.m., the eye of Hurricane Gonzalo was located near latitude 22.2 north, longitude 66.6 west. Gonzalo is moving toward the northwest near 13 mph. A turn toward the north-northwest and north with a decrease in forward speed is expected during the next day or so, followed by a north-northeastward acceleration by late Thursday.

Data from an Air Force Reserve hurricane hunter aircraft indicate that maximum sustained winds have increased to near 215 mph, with higher gusts. Gonzalo is now a category three hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale. Additional strengthening is forecast during the next 24 hours, followed by some weakening after that.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 25 miles from the center, and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 115 miles.

The estimated minimum central pressure based on reconnaissance aircraft data is 954 mb, or 28.17 inches.

Hazards affecting land

Surf: Swells generated by gonzalo will continue to affect the northern Leeward Islands...the Virgin Islands and the northern coast of Puerto Rico through Wednesday. These swells will reach the Bahamas on Wednesday and most of the East Coast of the United States by Thursday. Swells generated by the hurricane are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.

Next advisory

Complete advisory: 5 a.m.