Winds are expected to gust to speeds of 40 knots from 2 a.m. until lunchtime with rough waters in and around the Island.

The weather system that is bringing the bad conditions has been causing tornado alerts in the US over the weekend.

But US Navy weather forecaster Petty Officer Michelle Vandever says it is highly unlikely to be as bad as last Friday.

The weather station posted a small craft warning yesterday, which will run until 8 a.m. on Wednesday, and a gale watch between 2 a.m. and 11 a.m.

tomorrow.

Seas are expected to reach heights of between 13 and 15 feet outside the reef with inner seas up to eight feet.

Petty Officer Vandever said: "I do not think it will be quite as bad as Friday when we had reports of water spouts. That was particularly bad.

"The system that is bringing this is producing some severe thunderstorms and tornado watches over Mississippi and Alabama, after starting off in Arkansas and moving east. It is still moving east.

"It is unlikely to bring tornadoes to Bermuda, we are not forecasting any at the moment. But nobody can really forecast tornadoes.''