Meteorologists yesterday said they were monitoring a low pressure system east of Bermuda that could develop into the first tropical system of the year.

The US-based National Hurricane Centre said a non-tropical low pressure system was expected to develop several hundred miles northeast of Bermuda by this afternoon.

The NHC said: “The low is then forecast to move west-southwestward over warmer waters on Friday and could become a short-lived subtropical cyclone over the weekend to the northeast of Bermuda.

“The system is expected to move towards the north and northeast into a more hostile environment by Monday.”

The NHC estimated there was a 10 per cent chance of the system becoming tropical before tomorrow afternoon, and a 40 per cent chance of it becoming tropical by Monday afternoon.

The Bermuda Weather Service said they had spoken to the NHC about the possibility of a tropical or subtropical depression forming near the island.

A BWS spokesman said: “The status of the disturbance currently developing a few hundred miles to our east is marginal at most, with the potential for tropical storm force winds being fairly low.”

But he added: “Given the close proximity of this system - and the uncertainty generally inherent in tropical developments - BWS will continue to closely monitor this disturbance.

“We have scheduled calls to confer with NHC over the coming days.

“If the predictions change appreciably from the current forecast, the appropriate bulletins, watches or warnings will be posted.”

The spokesman added a small craft warning was already in place.

The marine forecast for tomorrow warned of possible gale force gusts and seas outside the reef reaching up to 12ft.

The 2021 hurricane season starts on June 1, but preseason storms are not unusual.

Two tropical storms – Arthur and Bertha – formed before the start of the hurricane season last year.