Tammy has become the seventh hurricane of the 2023 hurricane season, but is still not considered a threat to the island.

As of noon, the Bermuda Weather Service said the storm’s closest point of approach in the next three days is expected to be just under 700 miles south of the island at noon on Monday.

However, the BWS warned that the storm could come closer after that time.

The US National Hurricane Centre said that as of this afternoon Tammy was about 165 miles east-southeast of Martinique and moving west-northwest at 7mph, although the storm’s path is expected to turn more northward in the coming days.

“A turn towards the northwest is anticipated by this evening, followed by a north-northwestward and northward turn Saturday night through Sunday night,” the NHC said.

“On the forecast track, the centre of Tammy will move near or over portions of the Leeward Islands tonight and on Saturday, and then move north of the northern Leeward Islands on Sunday.

“Data from NOAA and Air Force Reserve reconnaissance aircraft indicate that the maximum sustained winds are near 75mph with higher gusts. Gradual strengthening is forecast during the next couple of days, and Tammy is expected to be a hurricane while it moves near or over portions of the Leeward Islands.

“Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 25 miles from the centre and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 140 miles.”

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 its 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 that 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 20 named storms, including seven hurricanes, three of which became major hurricanes.