Hurricane Ernesto has strengthened and was a Category 2 hurricane with 100 mph winds on Friday as it continued northward on a path toward Bermuda.

The National Hurricane Center said Ernesto, the third hurricane of 2024 in the Atlantic, should approach Bermuda tonight and pass near or over the small island on Saturday.

See conditions on Bermuda here.

Ernesto is no threat to the United States and it expected to curve out into the Atlantic after hitting Bermuda.

Ernesto could bring damaging winds, 6 to 12 inches of rain and “significant” coastal flooding to the island.

Ernesto is not expected to directly affect the United States, but waves from the storm could cause deadly rip currents along the East Coast through the weekend, the hurricane center said.

“Beach goers should be aware of a significant risk of life-threatening surf and rip currents, and stay out of the water if advised by lifeguards,” the hurricane center said.

As of 7 a.m. CDT Friday, the center of Hurricane Ernesto was located about 255 miles south-southwest of Bermuda and was tracking to the north-northeast at 13 mph.

Ernesto had 100 mph winds. The hurricane center said Ernesto could get a bit stronger before it reaches Bermuda, and it could remain a hurricane through the weekend.

A hurricane warning remained in effect for Bermuda, which is expected to start feeling tropical storm conditions this afternoon and hurricane conditions on Saturday.

There are no other systems being watched for possible development in the Atlantic as of Friday. The Atlantic hurricane season runs until Nov. 30, and 17 to 24 named storms will be possible before it’s over, forecasters said.