Tropical Storm Leslie was last night downgraded to a tropical depression and will pass about 168 nautical miles to the northwest of Bermuda at about 8 a.m.

this morning.

Forecasters expect the storm -- which is poorly organised -- to dissipate further before passing Bermuda. With maximum sustained winds at 30 knots, and gusts to 40 knots, Leslie is moving east northeast at nine knots.

The centre is forecast to cross north of Bermuda, but most of the inclement weather is south of the storm's centre and could hit the Island with rain and wind gusts.

Leslie is part of the same system that inundated south Florida earlier in the week with 18 inches of rain, and is being blamed for two deaths there.

Locally, Marine Police have issued a weather advisory due to the approach of the storm and would like to remind boaters to take the following precautions: Check moorings to ensure they are secure and tie down any loose items such as sails that may sustain damage during the winds; ensure that all punts are stored on high ground to prevent them being washed away with severe tides, and do not attempt to approach or board a boat that appears to be in distress. If any assistance is required, contact the Marine Police by calling 295-0011.

The hurricane season, which begins on June 1, will end on November 30.

The peak of the season was in September and so far 12 named storms have churned through the Atlantic basin, although no major hurricanes have made landfall this year.