Gusts up to 37 knots and robust showers continued to batter the Island intermittently last night as Humberto strengthened to hurricane force and made its way slowly northwards.

Humberto is expected to maintain its hurricane status while moving north through the open Atlantic today forecasters said. It was not expected to strengthen significantly.

The National Hurricane Center in Miami said in an advisory that the hurricane was expected to stay well away from the East Coast.

"Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 70 miles per hour (110 kph), with higher gusts. Humberto is forecast to become a hurricane today," forecasters said.

Humberto's centre was about 195 miles (315 km) west-southwest of Bermuda near latitude 31.4 north, longitude 67.8 west at 1100 ET (1500 GMT), the hurricane centre said. Tropical storm winds reached out as far as 105 miles (165 km) from Humberto's centre.

Tropical storms are rated hurricanes when maximum sustained winds reach 74 miles per hour (119 kph).

Rain from Humberto, the eighth named tropical storm of the Atlantic season, fell on Bermuda throughout the day. No watches or warnings have been issued, though the Miami forecasters urged people and businesses on the Island to monitor Humberto's path.

Forecasters said Bermuda should experience a few more lingering showers this morning, but expect the weather to brighten up as the day progresses.