Tropical Storm Philippe is expected to weaken far from Bermuda, however, another storm could form in the coming days.

While early forecasts had suggested that Philippe could strengthen and steer towards the island, as of this morning the system was expected to weaken to a tropical depression and continue westward.

The Bermuda Weather Service said the storm was not considered a threat to the island, with its closest point of approach in the next three days being just over 900 miles south-southeast of Bermuda early on Saturday.

The US National Hurricane Association said: “Philippe is moving towards the west near 12mph, and a westward to west-northwestward motion is expected over the next few days.

“Maximum sustained winds are near 45mph with higher gusts. Gradual weakening is forecast during the next few days. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 205 miles from the centre.”

However, meteorologists are monitoring another system which is expected to become the 17th named storm of the year.

As of this morning, the NHC said the system was roughly halfway between the Cape Verde Islands off Africa and the Lesser Antilles.

“Environmental conditions are forecast to be conducive for development, and a tropical depression or storm is expected to form in the next day or so while the system moves west-northwestward across the central tropical Atlantic,” the NHC said.

Should the system reach Tropical Storm strength, it would be named Tropical Storm Rina.

The Atlantic Hurricane System runs from June 1 until November 30.

The 2023 hurricane season has been forecast to be busier than usual as warmer than normal water temperatures offset El Niño, a weather phenomenon known to limit hurricane development in the Atlantic.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration estimated in their mid-season forecast that the season could include 14 to 21 named storms, of which between six and 11 could reach hurricane strength.

Of those storms, it is estimated two to five could become major hurricanes reaching at least Category 3 strength with winds of 111mph or greater.

So far this season, the Atlantic has recorded 16 named storms including six hurricanes, three of which became major hurricanes.