Hurricane Kate is expected to move closer to Bermuda than at first thought - possibly bringing a potential threat warning by the weekend.

Bermuda Weather Service meteorologist Declan O'Connell said although the hurricane was 1,000 nautical miles east of the Island last night, it was expected to be 415 miles away on Sunday afternoon.

When a severe weather system is within 400 miles of Bermuda, the weather service then considers it a potential threat and begins to inform Government agencies and the public via regular updates.

However, he said the current cold spell coming up from the south west this week, which has brought torrential downpours, is likely push Hurricane Kate north starting on Saturday.

"By Sunday afternoon, it is expected to be 415 nautical miles east, but at that stage it is expected to be moving north and that should be as close as it gets," said Mr. O'Connell. "The cold front should keep the system away from us, but Kate does look like she is going to come a bit closer than we at first thought she might. We might experience some sea swells on Sunday and Monday, as a result."

But Mr. O'Connell said the cold front now being experienced by the Island is likely to start passing over Bermuda today, after sitting off to the west for a few days bringing showers.