last night as it continued travelling west-northwest at 12 knots.

And Bermuda Weather Service meteorologist Trudy Wohlleben said the Category 3 storm was still expected to turn northward and pass between the US mainland and Bermuda.

Edouard's closest position to the Island will be 380 nautical miles to the west at 11 a.m. this Saturday if it continues on its present course, she added.

As of 6 p.m. yesterday, Edouard's eye was positioned at latitude 22.7 north, longitude 65.1 west -- about 600 nautical miles south of the Island.

It has been joined in the Atlantic by two tropical storms, Fran and Gustav, which Ms Wohlleben said were still too far away to be considered threats to the Island.