Tropical Storm Irene remains a potential threat to Bermuda as the storm is expected to grow into a hurricane out at sea, according to Bermuda Weather Service.

Winds are expected to increase to 90 knots on Saturday afternoon, BWS forecaster Kimberley Zuill said last night.

As of 6 p.m. last night the storm was approximately 265 nautical miles southwest of Bermuda.

Irene is moving between Bermuda and the east coast of the United States along ?hurricane alley? where she is expected to interact with a cold front in the Atlantic.

The main influence on the Island from Irene this weekend is expected to be showers, high humidity and high pressure to the north. ?The haze and the high humidity is not expected to clear, Irene brought quite a bit of tropical moisture to the area,? said Ms Zuill.

BWS is also monitoring Tropical Depression Nine. According to the latest forecasts, it is not a threat to Bermuda and is projected to make its closest point of approach Monday at 6 p.m. at a distance of 894 nautical miles to the east-southeast.