night.

Weather experts were predicting it would come within 350 nautical miles west-southwest of the Island at midnight.

And they described Edouard as still a potential threat to Bermuda.

At 6 p.m. yesterday Edouard was 370 nautical miles southwest of the Island, packing winds of 115 knots. It was moving north-northwest.

Today, Bermuda was expected to feel some effects of Edouard -- fresh breezes and occasional showers.

Edouard's threat to the southern United States diminished yesterday but forecasters warned the powerful system could move inland within a few days in New Jersey, New York or New England.

At 5 p.m., Edouard's centre was about 500 miles south-southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, near latitude 29.3 north, longitude 70.7 west, moving north-northwest at 14 mph, the National Hurricane Center said.

Forecasters posted a hurricane watch and tropical storm warning from Cape Lookout, North Carolina, northward to Cape Henlopen, Delaware, including the Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds. They said watches and warnings might be extended farther north over the Labour Day holiday weekend.

Meanwhile, the Bermuda Weather Service said Tropical Storm Fran remained a potential threat to the Island.

It is predicted to come within 516 nautical miles south-southwest of Bermuda on September 2.