Kyle grows to hurricane after passing BermudaStory Highlights
Storm reaches hurricane strength as it moves north through Atlantic
Kyle could bring 6 inches of rain to some spots along East Coast
Landfall in Maine, perhaps as hurricane, is possible Sunday
(CNN) -- A tropical storm strengthened into Hurricane Kyle on Saturday as it churned in the Atlantic Ocean west of Bermuda, the National Hurricane Center reported.
Tropical Storm Kyle could reach the U.S. East Coast on Sunday, forecasters say.
Forecasters issued tropical storm and hurricane watches for coastal Maine on Saturday. Kyle, a Category 1 hurricane, is forecast to make landfall late Sunday or early Monday near the border between Maine and Canada.
The Bermuda government discontinued a tropical storm warning for the island after it dodged a direct hit.
As of 5 p.m. ET Saturday, Kyle's center was about 315 miles (505 kilometers) west-northwest of Bermuda and about 485 miles (780 km) south of Nantucket, Massachusetts. The storm formed Thursday east of the Bahamas. See where the storm is going »
Kyle's maximum sustained winds increased to near 75 mph (120 km/hr), with higher gusts, making it hurricane strength. Some strengthening was expected, forecasters said.
They said tropical storm-force winds extended outward up to 70 miles (110 km) from Kyle's center.
Kyle was moving north at near 23 mph (37 kmh) and was expected to turn north-northeast, the National Hurricane Center said. "On the forecast track, the center of Kyle is forecast to be near eastern New England or the Canadian Maritimes late Sunday." Watch how Kyle could move »
A hurricane watch, meaning hurricane conditions are possible within 36 hours, was issued for coastal Maine from Stonington to Eastport. A tropical storm watch was issued for areas south of Stonington to Cape Elizabeth, including Portland. The watch means tropical storm conditions are possible within 36 hours.
The storm could bring 4 inches of rain to New England, with isolated amounts of 6 inches possible in some locations through Monday.
