Humberto is gaining strength and is currently moving east-northeastward away from the southeastern United States as a Category 2 hurricane. It's centered more than 500 miles west of Bermuda. Photo: NHC

Hurricane Humberto is expected to impact Bermuda as a Category 3 storm late Wednesday, September 18, 2019, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC). Photo: NHC

Meanwhile, Disturbance 1 now Depression 10, which could track towards the Virgin Islands, is forecast to gain Tropical Storm status today, September 17, 2019 and is expected to become a hurricane within 72 hours. Photo: NHC

Hurricane Humberto is likely to track near Bermuda, potentially bringing strong winds, battering surf and heavy rain to the archipelago. Humberto will also continue to generate high surf and dangerous rip currents along the Southeast U.S. coast.

A tropical storm warning is in effect for Bermuda. This means tropical-storm-force winds (39-plus mph) are expected, generally within 36 hours.

Humberto is gaining strength and is currently moving east-northeastward away from the southeastern United States. It's centered more than 500 miles west of Bermuda.

Disturbance 1 now Depression 10; May become hurricane within 72 hrs

Meanwhile, Disturbance 1 now Depression 10, which could track towards the Virgin Islands, is forecast to gain Tropical Storm status today, September 17, 2019 and is expected to become a hurricane within 72 hours.

According to the NHC in its 11:00am update, the center of Tropical Depression Ten was located near latitude 12.9 North, longitude 44.9 West. The depression is moving toward the west-northwest near 12 mph (19 km/h).

A west-northwestward motion at a somewhat faster forward speed is expected over the next few days. On the forecast track, the system will approach the northern Leeward Islands Thursday night or Friday.

Maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph (55 km/h) with higher gusts.

“Strengthening is forecast during the next couple of days, and the depression is expected to become a tropical storm later today. The system is forecast to become a hurricane by the time it approaches the northern Leeward Islands,” the NHC stated.

The estimated minimum central pressure is 1007 mb (29.74 inches).

There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect; however, interests in the Northern Leeward Islands are advised to monitor the progress of this system.