While the worst of Jerry spared the northern Caribbean, forecasters believe the tropical storm will directly impact Bermuda next week.Jerry weakened from a Category 1 hurricane to a tropical storm early Saturday morning while passing a few hundred miles to the north of the northern Leeward Islands, Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Jerry is seen swirling north of the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico Saturday afternoon. (GOES-EAST/NOAA) Although Jerry has been moving towards the west-northwest over the past few days, a cold front set to sweep off the East Coast of the United States on Monday will pull the tropical system northward early next week.While this northward turn will spare the United States from direct impacts, Jerry will still enhance the rough surf battering Florida's east coast through the weekend.Jerry's expected northward turn may put the storm on a collision course with Bermuda. "Jerry will pass close to or perhaps over Bermuda Tuesday or Tuesday night," AccuWeather Hurricane Expert Dan Kottlowski said.Jerry is expected to regain Category 1 hurricane status by this time. A Category 1 hurricane has maximum sustained winds of 74-95 mph with higher gusts. "Bermuda can experience potentially dangerous winds, flooding rain, storm surge and rough surf as a result of Jerry," AccuWeather Meteorologist Mary Gilbert said."These impacts will be amplified if Jerry does ultimately pass right over the islands," she added.Just this past week, former Major Hurricane Humberto unleashed fierce winds as it passed just to the north of Bermuda.Bermuda's building codes require dwellings to withstand sustained wind speeds of 110 mph (177 km/h), which is the equivalent of a high-end Category 2 hurricane. A majority of properties are made of stone and mortar.As a result, structural damage is likely to be minimal with Jerry, even with its projected path very close to or over Bermuda.However, strong winds can toss around loose items like toys and cause them to become potentially deadly projectiles. Power outages and tree damage may also occur.Residents should make sure to secure or safely house any outdoor furniture, planters or decorative items ahead of Jerry's arrival.Waterspouts can occur within Jerry's rain bands.The rain and wind could hinder any continued recovery efforts from Humberto, according to Gilbert.Conditions will dramatically improve across Bermuda later Wednesday as Jerry gets swept northeastward.AccuWeather meteorologists will be closely monitoring any potential impacts Jerry may have on Atlantic Canada late next week.In the wake of Jerry, several other tropical disturbances are being closely monitored across the Atlantic basin.
