The hurricane, packing winds of 125 knots (145 mph) with gusts up to 150 knots (170 mph), was gaining strength and moving slowly northwest, the Bermuda Weather Service said last night.

At 6 p.m. last night, the storm was at latitude 16.8 degrees north, longitude 50.4 degrees west, about 1,340 nautical miles south east of Bermuda and churning through the Atlantic at 13 knots.

Meteorologist Dave Forbes told The Royal Gazette that Edouard is expected to pass between the Bahamas and Bermuda but could turn and track north between the US coast and Bermuda.

While not considered a threat within the next 72 hours, the forecast could change by Thursday or Friday. With a storm front about 300 miles across Edouard is intensifying over open water and is expected to become a class-5 hurricane some time today.

"This's a mean beast; Edouard could make Felix look like a junior. I wouldn't want to see this one within 40 miles,'' Mr. Forbes said.

Hurricane Felix brushed by the Island last August and caused moderate damage on the South Shore of the Island and to the Causeway.

Mr. Forbes predicted the South Shore could see rougher surf by Wednesday, when Edouard is forecast to be 560 nautical miles south of the Island.