Islanders are being urged to stock up on batteries and food as the Hurricane season begins in earnest with Hurricane Fabian set to batter Bermuda later this week.

The category four hurricane is set to brush past Bermuda on Friday night causing 50-60 knot winds, a massive downpour and dangerous sea conditions.

Bermuda Weather Centre Meteorologist Elizabeth Nelson said the track had been edging Fabian even closer to Bermuda as it headed north from the south east.

"The National Hurricane Centre has been inching the track further and further to the east over the last 36 hours. It's been coming more towards Bermuda but I can't say if that will continue," she said.

She said 64 knot winds are forecast to be just 40 miles west northwest of Bermuda at the closest point of approach on Friday but the Island could be worse hit if the Hurricane veers closer.

And she warned that long range forecasts needed to be taken with a lot of care.

"Just a slight deviation to the track forecast could make a huge difference in the conditions for the Island."

She said Fabian, which has 120 knot maximum sustained winds gusting to 145 knots, was due to decrease in strength by the time it reached its closest point of approach.

But it was still a good time to get in the supplies of batteries and emergency provisions, said Miss Nelson.

"But Fabian is still a major hurricane with maximum sustained winds at the storm centre of 105 knots.

"Friday will be extremely windy with two to four inches of rain forecast which is more than the whole of last month.

"There will be 12 foot seas affecting the Island so by no means should anyone be out in a boat."

And she advised against swimming on the south shore which traditionally takes a battering during hurricanes.

Miss Nelson said: "If you are going to stock up for the hurricane season you might as well stock up now."

Bermuda is traditionally more affected towards the end of the hurricane season which runs from June 1 to November 30. American weather forecasters have predicted this season will be worse than usual.

On current predictions Fabian will pose a threat to loosely moored boats and garden furniture but Miss Nelson urged people to keep an eye out for further updates.

Blown down branches could also make a mess of the roads and down power lines although Fabian is set to weaken as it moves north and hits warmer water.

"Keep monitoring the storm and watch out for a likely tropical storm watch on Thursday," said Miss Nelson.