MIAMI — Hurricane Earl is is forecast to turn into a major hurricane later Thursday, with tropical storm conditions expected to begin in Bermuda soon.

Hurricane Earl is is forecast to turn into a major hurricane later Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022, with tropical storm conditions expected to begin in Bermuda soon.
Hurricane Earl is is forecast to turn into a major hurricane later Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022, with tropical storm conditions expected to begin in Bermuda soon.© National Hurricane Center/TNS/TNS

Swells caused by the Category 2 hurricane are also building near Bermuda and are expected to reach the U.S. east coast later Thursday. They are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions through the weekend, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Forecasters are also watching two disturbances in the Atlantic, one of which has a high chance of turning into a tropical depression or storm, possibly later Thursday. As for Danielle, it’s now a post-tropical cyclone.

At the moment, none of the systems are a threat Florida.

Here’s the forecast breakdown:

Hurricane Earl to be major hurricane

The forecast shows Earl strengthening into a Category 3 hurricane by the time it passes to the southeast of Bermuda late Thursday. After it passes Bermuda, Earl is forecast to strengthen into a Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph while it’s in the open water. This is the minimum wind speed needed to be classified as a Category 4. Earl is then forecast to become a powerful post-tropical low on Saturday.

Bermuda is under a hurricane watch and tropical storm warning, with tropical storm conditions expected Thursday afternoon through Friday morning. Hurricane-force winds could be possible in Bermuda Thursday night if Earl’s track shifts farther west than is currently forecast, the hurricane center said.