Hurricane Nigel strengthened over the Atlantic Ocean east of Bermuda on Tuesday afternoon. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Hurricane Nigel was located at latitude 31.8°N and longitude 54.7°W which put it about 590 miles (955 km) east of Bermuda. Nigel was moving toward the north-northwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 120 m.p.h. (195 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 974 mb.

A large, circular eye with a diameter of 60 miles (95 km) was at the center of Hurricane Nigel on Tuesday afternoon. The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Nigel’s circulation. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the north of the hurricane. Winds to hurricane force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of Nigel’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 175 miles (280 km) from the center of circulation.

Hurricane Nigel will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Nigel will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27°C. It will move under the western part of an upper level ridge over the central Atlantic Ocean. The upper level ridge will produce southerly winds that will blow toward the top of Nigel’s circulation. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear and the shear will inhibit intensification. Tropical Storm Nigel could strengthen on Wednesday. An upper level trough over the eastern U.S. will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Nigel’s circulation later this week. Those winds will cause the vertical wind shear to increase. More wind shear will cause Hurricane Nigel to weaken later this week.

Hurricane Nigel will move around the western part of a high pressure system over the eastern Atlantic Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Nigel toward the north during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Hurricane Nigel will stay far east of Bermuda. The upper level trough over the eastern U.S. will steer Nigel toward the northeast later this week.