Hurricane Ernesto strengthens to Category 2 as it approaches Bermuda

A hurricane warning is in place for Bermuda with Ernesto strengthening to a Category 2 storm as it bears down on the island.

Ernesto had maximum sustained winds of 100 mph on Friday afternoon.

The hurricane is forecast to strengthen on Friday, but will remain a Category 2 storm as it passes Bermuda.  

The hurricane will approach Bermuda Friday night as the eye wall -- with its strongest winds -- passes over Bermuda early Saturday morning.

Bermuda is already seeing some impacts from Hurricane Ernesto, with conditions expected to deteriorate further by Friday night.

The island still has a hurricane warning, with damaging winds of 75 mph or higher expected Friday night into Saturday morning. This storm's center will likely stay just west of the island.

In addition to the wind threat in Bermuda, dangerous storm surge is expected, along with 6 to 12 inches of rain and isolated amounts up to 15 inches.

Ernesto is forecast to weaken slightly as it passes by Bermuda, but some strengthening is likely to happen after it passes north of the island and goes back over open water. The storm is not forecast to become a major Category 3 hurricane.

 Damaging winds near 90 mph and rainfall of up to 15 inches are possible.

While it won't threaten the U.S. with landfall, a high rip current risk and large waves are reaching Florida on Friday and the Northeast from Saturday through Monday.

In the Northeast, waves could be 6 to 9 feet close to the shore and over 10 feet away from the coast.

High surf advisories and rip current statements are posted along the East Coast. Choppy seas with waves up to 9 feet may cause hazardous swimming conditions at many East Coast beaches this weekend and into Monday.

After Bermuda, Ernesto will move northeast and brush Newfoundland with winds up to 80 mph early next week.