Rough weather is forecast today as Hurricane Maria, which intensified yesterday to a Category 1 storm, passes to Bermuda’s northwest this evening.

While tropical storm force winds are not expected within the island’s marine area, the Bermuda Weather Service predicts “strong winds, a few showers and a chance of thunder”.

The storm remains a potential threat to the island, and is forecast to pass 293 nautical miles to Bermuda’s north at midnight.

The 2017 hurricane season has proven the most active since 2005, with another hurricane further out in the Atlantic.

Lee built into a Category 3 hurricane yesterday, the National Hurricane Centre reported — but was expected to pass nearly 375 nautical miles east of Bermuda last night.

While the height of the season elapsed earlier this month, the season does not officially end until November 30.