Category 4 Hurricane Sam remains a potential threat to Bermuda and is expected to be at its closest point to the island in the early hours of Saturday morning.

The Bermuda Weather Service only provides the predicted closest approach within three days. It reports that Sam is forecast to be 222 miles to the east-southeast of Bermuda at 3am on Saturday.

In its latest update, the BWS said Bermuda was now on a tropical storm watch

It is currently 823 miles south-southeast of Bermuda, moving northwest at about 11mph.

The National Hurricane Centre reported last night: “Sam is moving towards the northwest near 9mph and this general motion with an increase in forward speed is expected during the next couple of days.

“A turn towards the north is forecast by Friday. On the forecast track, Sam will continue to pass well to the east-northeast of the northern Leeward Islands through tonight.”