Ophelia upgraded to hurricane, tropical storm watch issued
Tropical Storm Ophelia has officially been upgraded to a category one hurricane that will come within 120 miles of Bermuda on Saturday.The current forecast has Ophelia's closest point to the Island at 6pm on Saturday, when she will be 117 miles east, southeast of the Island. The BWS says Hurricane Ophelia is a pontential threat to Bermuda.Ophelia's wind speeds are currently forecast at 65 knots, with gusts up to 80 knots.Tonight the Bermuda Weather Service has issued a Tropical Storm Watch, in association with the possibility of winds reaching 34 knots in our eastern marine area on Saturday afternoon.The BWS forecast says: "Fair with light winds through tonight, as high pressure weakens over the area. Winds increase on Friday, with showers later, as Hurricane Ophelia approaches from the south."Strong winds, showers with possible thunder, and rough seas on the south shore can be expected for the weekend as Ophelia passes about 120 miles to our east."