Meteorologists are keeping a close eye on Tropical Storm Philippe, which could threaten the Island by the weekend.

Philippe, which is expected to become a hurricane by today, was packing winds of 45 knots with gusts to 55 knots and was 1,100 nautical miles south-southeast of the Island and was moving north-northwest at seven knots at 6 p.m. yesterday.

The Bermuda Weather Service said last night that the closest point of approach within the next 72 hours would be on Wednesday at 6 p.m. when it would 608 nautical miles to the south-southeast of Bermuda.

Metereologist Declan O?Connell said last night that projections from the National Hurricane Center in Miami suggested the storm could come much closer to the Island by the weekend.

?We?ll know a lot more by Thursday,? he said, adding the public should pay attention to warnings from the Weather Service.

The storm is expected to become a hurricane today and could be a Category 2 storm with sustained winds of 95 knots by Friday, the Weather Service said.