Hurricane Katia is varying between a Category Three and Category Four storm and remains a potential threat to Bermuda, the Island's Weather Service said this morning as it issued a tropical storm watch.After consultation with the National Hurricane Centre (NHC), the Bermuda Weather Service issued the Tropical Storm Watch for Bermuda and the surrounding Marine Area due to the NHC forecast for Hurricane Katia.A Tropical Storm Watch means that sustained winds of 34 to 63 knots will possibly affect Bermuda (including the marine area extending out 25 nautical miles), within 48 hours, associated with a tropical cyclone or subtropical cyclone.The track of Katia puts Bermuda in a “Potential Threat Criteria”, defined as “the tropical cyclone center is expected to pass within 400 nautical miles of Bermuda within the next 72 hours”.Southeast swells are currently impacting the South Shore beaches, and there is still some potential that we will see tropical Storm force winds of at least 34 knots.This is likely for the western marine area, as Katia begins to re-curve. However, the probability for 50 knot winds is less than one percent chance, as of the last advisory.Government said the Ministry of Public Works will continue to monitor the Causeway. "In the event sustained wind speeds exceed 50 knots, the Ministry will consider closure of the causeway in the interest of public safety. The public will be kept abreast throughout," a spokesman said."Due to the large swells impacting South Shore beaches, as of 12 noon today lifeguards at Horseshoe Bay erected the red flag signaling that no one is to enter the water. The swells and rip currents present on the beach are now extremely dangerous."Residents and guests of the island are encouraged to stay out and well away from the water along the south shore."The Department of Marine and Ports has also advised that the St. George's ferry has been suspended until further notice due to the inclement weather we are currently experiencing."* For more details check our weather page. Click here