Meteorologists are keeping an eye on a recently formed tropical storm which is expected to steer towards the island in the coming days.

The Bermuda Weather Service said at noon that Tropical Storm Jerry was still almost 2,000 miles southeast of the island and moving west at 24mph.

It said that the storm’s closest point of approach within the next three days would be about 740 miles south-southeast of Bermuda, but the system was expected to come closer after that time.

Jerry was also expected to strengthen, potentially reaching hurricane strength by Thursday morning.

The US-based National Hurricane Centre said that the storm was expected to slow down and turn to the west-northwest in the next few days.

The NHC noon update said: “On the forecast track, the core of the system is expected to be near or to the north of the northern Leeward Islands late Thursday and Friday.

“Maximum sustained winds are near 45mph with higher gusts.

“Steady strengthening is forecast and Jerry is expected to become a hurricane in a day or two.

“Tropical storm-force winds extend outward up to 140 miles from the centre.”