likely to present much of a threat to Bermuda, forecasters at the Bermuda Weather Service said.

"She hasn't moved very much, maybe going about five to seven knots, and from what we've forecast she should go well north, then head east towards open ocean,'' meteorologist Dave Forbes last night told The Royal Gazette .

As of last evening Claudette -- with winds of about 40-knots -- was sitting about 200 miles east southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, about 405 nautical miles west northwest of Bermuda at 34.5 degrees north and 72.3 degrees west.

"Our latest satellite imagery suggests she's weakening,'' said Mr. Forbes.

"But the official position from the Miami Hurricane Centre is she will strengthen slightly as she heads north, then lose steam as she heads east.'' Claudette's closest point of approach to Bermuda is now expected to be at 3 p.m. tomorrow, when she will be 315 nautical miles north.