(Reuters) – Gaston strengthened into the first major Atlantic hurricane of the season yesterday, packing maximum sustained winds of 115 miles per hour (185 kph) with more powerful gusts but posing no threat to any land mass.
The system, which also does not threaten any oil installations, was about 580 miles (930 km) east of Bermuda and moving toward the northwest at about 5 mph (7 kph) as of 4 p.m. EDT (2000 GMT), the Miami-based National Hurricane Center said on its website.
The storm is expected to turn toward the north today and then to the northeast tomorrow when it will pick up speed.
The NHC said on Saturday evening the system had achieved hurricane strength and upgraded it on Sunday afternoon to Category 3 on the five-step Saffir-Simpson scale of hurricane intensity. The forecast calls for little strengthening during the next 48 hours.
There were no coastal watches or warnings in effect for the storm, the NHC said.
