Bermuda is expected to escape the worst of Hurricane Teddy, but could still suffer a prolonged period of tropical storm-force winds, it was warned last night.

A Tropical Storm Watch remains in effect today as Teddy — which has weakened to a Category 3 hurricane from a Category 4 — continues on a track towards the island.

At noon today, the Bermuda Weather Service said the storm’s closest point of approach was expected to be at 3am on Monday at about 176 miles to the island’s east as a Category 2 hurricane.

Mark Guishard, the BWS director, said: “Tropical storm-force winds extend out to 230 miles from the centre of Hurricane Teddy at the moment and hurricane-force winds extend out 58 miles from the centre. As such, we are forecast to pass within the range of tropical storm-force winds, but not within the range of hurricane-force winds.”

Hurricane Teddy at noon was still 560 miles southeast of Bermuda and moving northwest at 14mph with maximum sustained winds of 121mph.

Dr Guishard said Hurricane Teddy was expected to make a sharp turn northwards over this weekend and begin to weaken.

He added: “One of the silver linings of the last storm’s passage is that it generated cooler waters in our area, and that means Teddy will be moving into an environment that is conducive to its weakening, as it approaches Bermuda.”

Dr Guishard said sustained tropical storm-force winds were probable, but winds of more than 57mph were less likely and hurricane-force winds were not predicted for the island.

He added: “We need to prepare for a prolonged tropical storm-force wind period becoming more like a winter gale and lasting through Monday and that will have an impact on recovery time after the closest point of approach.”

Dr Guishard said 20ft to 25ft seas were expected by Sunday night as the storm approached, with large swells on South Shore from yesterday on.

Renée Ming, the Minister of National Security, said the Emergency Measures Organisation would meet today.

She added there was “little uncertainty” over Teddy’s path and that any closures and service cancellations would be announced later today.

Ms Ming said: “However, this shouldn’t stop residents from restocking their storm supplies.”

She added there would be a partial embodiment of the Royal Bermuda Regiment tomorrow and that the police, the parks department and the Ministry of Public Works were prepared for the storm.

Ms Ming said that 22 Belco customers were still without power after Hurricane Paulette, but said it hoped to have their power restored by the end of yesterday.