Hurricane Erin, downgraded to Category 2, continued its forecast path to the west of the island this morning.

In its 9am update, the Bermuda Weather Service said that within the next three days, the storm’s nearest forecast point to the island was about 368 miles to the northwest at 10pm on Thursday.

The BWS forecast said: “Clusters of spotty showers with the odd rumble of thunder will persist over the next few days as areas of convergence ahead of Hurricane Erin move through the area.

“Winds steadily strengthen with developing squalls, gusty gales, building swells and dangerous surf along with rip currents as Hurricane Erin passes to our west through northeast.”

At 9am, the hurricane was about 560 miles west-southwest of Bermuda, moving north-northwest at 13mph. It had maximum sustained winds of about 100mph and gusts to 121mph.

The BWS continued to describe Erin as a potential threat to the island.

In its latest advisory, the US-based National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said: “On the forecast track, the centre of Erin will move over the western Atlantic between the US East Coast and Bermuda today through early Friday, and then pass south of Atlantic Canada Friday and Saturday.

“Maximum sustained winds are near 100mph with higher gusts. Some strengthening is possible during the next day or so. Weakening is likely to begin by Friday, but Erin is forecast to remain a hurricane into the weekend.

“Erin is a large hurricane. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 90 miles from the centre and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 265 miles.

Jaché Adams, the Acting Minister of National Security, said earlier that while the storm was unlikely to hit the island, it posed a threat that needed to be taken seriously.

He added: “Too often when storms pass at a distance people believe there is no need to prepare. That attitude is dangerous.

“We must guard against complacency. I urge every resident to treat Erin as a serious test of your preparedness for the season ahead.

“Do not wait until a storm is upon our doorstep to take action.”