Officials in Bermuda said Tuesday that schools, public transportation and government offices on the British Atlantic territory will close early ahead of the likely arrival of Hurricane Humberto as a Category 2 storm.

National Security Minister Wayne Caines told reporters that schools, government offices and ferries on the island would close at noon Wednesday and bus service would end at 4 p.m.

Officials said that tropical storm-force winds were expected to start hitting Bermuda, with hurricane-force gusts, starting about 3 p.m. Wednesday and lasting until about 4 a.m. Thursday. A small shift in track could bring the storm itself over the island.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center said Humberto's maximum sustained winds were about 100 mph (155 kph) Tuesday afternoon and it was predicted to strengthen, bringing it close to major hurricane force by Wednesday morning.

Bermuda was expected to see rainfall of up to 4 inches (10 centimeters), with large swells along the coast.

Humberto was centered about 490 miles (785 kilometers) west-southwest of Bermuda, moving to the east-northeast at 9 mph (15 kph).

Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Lorena formed off Mexico's Pacific Coast, and forecasters predicted heavy rains and flooding by Thursday, likely without it reaching hurricane force.

Lorena had top winds of 45 mph (75 kph) Tuesday and was centered about 275 miles (440 kilometers) south-southeast of the resort town of Zihuatanejo and was moving northwest at 15 mph (24 kph).

A tropical storm watch was in effect for the coast between Zihuatanejo and Cabo Corrientes

Tropical Depression Ten also formed in the Atlantic, and could become a hurricane Friday as it nears the outermost Caribbean islands.

Story by The Associated Press.