Hurricane Nigel powered up to Category 2 storm status on Tuesday afternoon and could intensify further before it starts weakening in the coming days far out over the Atlantic Ocean, the US National Hurricane Centre said.

Nigel’s top sustained winds rose to 100mph (160kph) by late Tuesday, up from 90mph (145kph) earlier in the day when it was a strong Category 1 hurricane.

The system was centred about 590 miles (955km) east of Bermuda and moving to the north-northwest at 14mph (22kph). The island territory might see swells from Nigel that could cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions, forecasters said.

No coastal watches or warnings were in effect as the storm remained far from land.

The Miami-based hurricane centre said Nigel could strengthen some more early on Wednesday but is expected to begin weakening on Thursday and Friday and become a still strong post-tropical cyclone on Friday.