Hurricane Humberto has become a Category 3 hurricane - considered a major hurricane - as it continues to churn its way towards Bermuda.

At midnight, it was predicted to skim 86 miles north-northwest of the island at 9pm with maximum sustained winds of 115mph and gusts to 138mph.

The Bermuda Weather Service said yesterday: “A Tropical Storm Warning and a Hurricane Watch are now in effect — Hurricane Humberto is a threat to Bermuda.

“Local conditions will deteriorate today and through Wednesday ahead of Humberto with showers, squalls and patchy heavy rain, as well as gusty thunderstorms.

“Storm-force winds with hurricane-force gusts are predicted during Wednesday evening and into Thursday morning.”

The American-based National Hurricane Centre said this evening: “Some fluctuations in intensity are likely during the next day or so, but Humberto should remain a powerful hurricane through Thursday.”

The service’s website added: “On the forecast track, the centre of Humberto is expected to pass just to the northwest and north of Bermuda Wednesday night.

“Winds are expected to first reach tropical-storm strength by Wednesday afternoon, making outside preparations difficult or dangerous.”

Large swells will affect local waters starting today, and storm surge is expected to increase water levels as much as 3ft above usual tidal levels.

The storm was 370 miles west-southwest of Bermuda at midnight, moving at a speed of 12mph.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 60 miles from the centre and tropical storm-force winds extend outward up to 175 miles.

The next update will be at 6am.