Islanders can expect gale-force winds and heavy rain during the next 48 hours as Hurricane Noel nears Bermuda from the west southwest, according to experts at the Bermuda Weather Service.

Meteorologist Nicole Hannon said Noel was forecasted to become an extra tropical system by tonight, which means it would loose it's "hurricane characteristics".And, a gale warning is in effect for today.

At 11 p.m. last night, Noel was 760 miles southwest of Bermuda, travelling north northeast at 20 mph.

It is packing maximum sustained winds of 80 mph with higher gusts.

The Convening of Parliament will now be held in the Senate Chamber in the Cabinet Building, due to concerns of strong winds and precipitation from Hurricane Noel.Cabinet made the decision last evening, reverting to its "wet weather programme" after Weather Service predictions of high winds and heavy downpours this morning.Also, some ferry routes may be interrupted today and tomorrow.

Ferry riders are asked to contact the Hamilton Ferry Terminal for any developments at 295 4506.

Last night, there were no plans to close the Causeway, but the public will be updated if there are any changes.Public Safety Minister Sen. David Burch issued an advisory last night to cyclists about the dangers of crossing bridges during high winds.

"In addition to asking cyclists to be extremely cautions when riding on our roads over the next couple of days, we are encouraging boat owners to secure all boats and other ocean vessels, and advising the public to secure their outdoor furniture, garbage bins or any other items that could be blown about by the wind.Ms Hannon explained:

"Extra tropical means it doesn't have hurricane characteristics anymore," explained Ms Hannon,

"And the winds tend to be further out from the center of the storm.

"What is certain, Ms Hannon stated, the Island is in for some nasty weather during the course of today and Saturday, with gale-force winds perhaps easing a bit on Sunday, but heavy rain continuing.

Essentially, she described Noel as being more of a "winter storm"."Its closet point of approach within the next 72 hours was expected to be in the early hours of tomorrow morning.

At that time, the storm will be located some 296 nautical miles (340 miles) to the west northwest of the Island.But Just how do gale-force winds feel?

"It can be pretty difficult to ride on a bike with gusting winds of 50 knots and downpouring rains," Ms Hannon speculated.

"Starting (this morning) the winds are going to be gale-force and we expect them to continue through tomorrow with widespread rain and continue through Saturday, until probably Saturday afternoon."

Meteorologists were not certain if the gale warning would be extended to tomorrow.