Cristobal has strengthened into a hurricane off the coast of the Bahamas.
The third named storm of the season formed Sunday morning as it moved over the islands.
The projected path keeps the storm well off the Florida and eastern U.S. Atlantic coast for the next several days.
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Hurricane Cristobal Advisory
11 p.m. — Cristobal expected to pass to the west of Bermuda on Wednesday.
Watches and Warnings
Changes with this advisory:
The Bermuda Weather Service has issued a tropical storm watch for Bermuda.
Summary of watches and warnings in effect:
Tropical Storm watch issued for Bermuda.
A tropical storm watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area...generally within 48 hours.
Discussion and 48-hour outlook
At 11 p.m., the center of Tropical Storm Cristobal was located near latitude 25.1 north, longitude 71.9 west.
Cristobal is moving toward the north-northeast near 2 mph. A north-northeastward motion is expected overnight and a turn toward the northeast with a gradual increase in forward speed is expected over the next 48 hours. On the forecast track, the center of Cristobal will move away from the Bahamas through Tuesday and pass west and north of Bermuda on Wednesday.
Maximum sustained winds have increased near 75 mph with higher gusts. Some strengthening is expected over the next 48 hours.
Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 45 miles from the center. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 205 miles.
The estimated minimum central pressure is 989 mb or 29.21 inches.
Hazards affecting land
Rainfall: Cristobal is expected to produce rainfall totals of 3 to 6 inches over the Turks and Caicos Islands and the southeastern Bahamas with isolated amounts around 10 inches possible. In addition to ongoing rainfall, Cristoball is expected to produce additional rainfall of 2 to 4 inches over Bermuda.
Wind: Tropical storm conditions are possible on Bermuda by Wednesday afternoon.
Next advisory
Complete Advisory: 5 a.m.