Hurricane Igor is still on a potential threat to the Island, with Sunday morning predicted as its closest point to the Island.

The Bermuda Weather Service yesterday said the impact of the category three hurricane on Bermuda was still difficult to forecast, but it would likely become a potential threat in the next day or so.

Last night forecaster Michelle Pitcher said: "With so much variability in the models right now, the forecast remains rather broad brushed. Right now, it looks like any watches or warnings pertaining to Igor will be issued as early as Thursday.

"As Igor is a very large in size storm, I would expect that at the very least we will experience tropical storm conditions this weekend, unless there are dramatic changes in Igor over the next few days."

The news caused at least one cruise ship to travel an alternate route.

MSC Poesia was to travel here on Saturday. Yesterday, an agent said her visit had been cancelled.

"Due to the anticipated route of Hurricane Igor the cruise vessel Poesia, previously due for arrival [in] Dockyard [at 8 a.m.] on 18 September, has now cancelled her visit."

Ms Pitcher anticipated a small craft warning would be in effect tomorrow, as the hurricane approaches.

She said that although computer models vary in their predictions, they are in "fairly good agreement on occasional showers on Friday, with wind increasing from 20 to 25 knots to 20 to 30 knots".

Hurricane Julia, which follows Hurricane Igor, is expected to pass well to Bermuda's east and is not considered a threat to the Island at this time.