Moderate to strong winds and a chance of thunder are forecast through tomorrow morning as Tropical Storm Maria passes to Bermuda’s distant north.

The Bermuda Weather Service still classed the system as a potential threat at 6pm but Hurricane Lee’s closest point of approach within three days had passed.

The BWS said: “Tropical Storm force winds are not expected at Bermuda or in the local marine area.

“However, strong winds with tropical storm force gusts and rough to very rough swells are expected tonight, as well as showers and a chance of thunder.”

Maria, which was downgraded to a tropical storm on Wednesday, was 308 nautical miles north-northwest of Bermuda at 6pm.

The closest point within 72 hours is expected to be 284 nautical miles to the north at midnight.

The National Hurricane Centre said the system is heading east at about 13mph with winds of 65mph and higher gusts at 6pm.

Category 2 Lee, meanwhile, has turned to the north and was 479 nautical miles east-northeast of Bermuda at 6pm. Lee was no longer classed as a threat to the island.