Gonzalo maintains strength, on track to hit Newfoundland

Wednesday, October 15, 2014, 2:40 PM - Hurricane Gonzalo has maintained its strength as a powerful Category 3 storm as it swirls toward Bermuda. 

"Sights set on Bermuda for Friday," tweeted Weather Network chief meteorologist Chris Scott. 

EXPERT: Gonzalo beats path for Newfoundland

A hurricane watch was issued for Bermuda, urging islanders to keep an eye on the approaching storm.

According to officials, all flights departing Bermuda on Thursday, Friday and Saturday are fully booked. 

Hurricane #Gonzalo as seen from space this afternoon moving north of Puerto Rico. Sights set on Bermuda for Friday pic.twitter.com/MzlT3q7d3O

— Chris Scott (@ChrisScottWx) October 14, 2014

"Hurricane conditions are possible over Bermuda on Friday with tropical storm conditions possibly by early Friday morning," said the U.S. National Hurricane Center early Wednesday. "Large swells generated by Gonzalo are affecting portions of the Virgin Islands, the northern coasts of Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic and portions of the Bahamas."

Swells are expected to reach much of the east coast of the United States and Bermuda on Thursday.

"These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions," the NHC warns.

DETAILS COME TOGETHER FOR CANADIAN IMPACT

"Hurricane Gonzalo expected to track north-northeastward tomorrow - potential impacts over Newfoundland/Eastern Nova Scotia," said the Canadian Hurricane Centre in a statement issued Wednesday. "A cold front extending well into the subtropics will guide the hurricane northward near Bermuda, potentially drawing moisture over Nova Scotia and Newfoundland on Friday."

The centre of the storm may track anywhere from just east of Cape Breton to well offshore over the Grand Banks, which is approximately a 600 km span of uncertainty, adds the CHC.

"Timing of the storm's possible impact over land or closest offshore approach will be in the late Friday to late Saturday timeframe."

Here is the latest spaghetti plot for hurricane #Gonzalo for #nlwx. Expecting to hit between Sat pm-Sun am. pic.twitter.com/xhIC7f799w

— Brad Rousseau (@bradrousseau) October 15, 2014

"The storm will be moving very fast, but 30-60 mm of rain and gusts of 100-160 km/h are possible," says Weather Network meteorologist Brad Rousseau. "That would make gusts into the low end Category 2 range."

Be sure to check back often as we will continue to update this developing story on a frequent basis.

TUNE IN: Tune in to The Weather Network on TV for live updates on the approaching storm. Our team of reporters and meteorologists in the field provide you with the most accurate and up-to-date coverage.