This could not have worked out worse for Bermuda. Hurricane Nicole has strengthened rapidly into a Category 4 storm the night before the storm is projected to make a direct hit on the small island. Residents in Bermuda are no stranger to tropical storms and hurricanes, but one this strong is rare.

Just curious as to the last ≥ Cat 3 hurricane to hit Bermuda; none since the 1920's; #Nicole now a Cat 4 hurricane pic.twitter.com/RTwpozsc5r

— NWS Boston (@NWSBoston) October 13, 2016

Unprecedented if it doesn't weaken before landfall.

Could be historic as zero Category 4 hurricanes have ever hit Bermuda in the NHC historical record. #Nicole https://t.co/ZORz7dmgbA

— Eric Blake 🌀 (@EricBlake12) October 13, 2016

The eye of Nicole is expected to pass very close to or directly over Bermuda early Thursday morning.  The satellite image Wednesday evening was spectacular, but the reality of what may happen in the next 24 hours on the ground is sobering.

The latest advisories from the National Hurricane Center are listed below.

[tropics-storm]