following the cancellation yesterday evening of a tropical storm watch that was in effect this week.

The storm, with maximum winds of 60 knots, was about 280 nautical miles southwest of Bermuda and moving east at 14 knots, a Naval Oceanography Command Facility forecaster said last night.

The forecast track last night showed Earl would pass 240 nautical miles south of Bermuda at 9 a.m. this morning. The watch was called off at 6 p.m., based on the assumption that Earl would weaken and become entrained into a cold front that passed over the Island early yesterday morning. It was expected to dissipate by early Sunday.

The NOCF will continue to monitor Earl's progress and will issue advisories if necessary.