Hurricane "Gonzalo" strengthens as it barrels toward Bermuda [1]

Hurricane "Gonzalo" [2], the second major hurricane of the 2014 Atlantic season after Hurricane "Edouard", has strengthened overnight and is again a dangerous Category 4 hurricane today as it tracks toward the small British island territory of Bermuda. National Hurricane Center (NHC) said Gonzalo is the first Category 4 hurricane in the Atlantic basin since Ophelia in 2011. 

According to their Public Advisory issued 09:00 UTC today, the eye of Hurricane "Gonzalo" was located about 485 nautical miles (898 km/558 miles) to the south-southwest of Bermuda. A turn toward the north-northeast and an increase in forward speed are expected tonight and Friday. The center of Gonzalo is expected to pass near Bermuda on Friday, October 17.

Satellite imagery indicates that maximum sustained winds have increased to near 220 km/h (140 mph) with higher gusts (Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale). Fluctuations in intensity a...