MIAMI — Hurricane Florence flirted with Category 4 status last night before dropping back down to Category 3, however forecasters are warning the storm is still likely to cause “life-threatening” surf and rip current conditions in Bermuda later this week.

The National Hurricane Center said the storm’s maximum sustained winds Wednesday afternoon are estimated to be 215 kph.

Hurricane Florence is centred about 2,080 kilometres east-southeast of Bermuda and is moving northwest at 20 kph.

Forecasters expect Florence to weaken somewhat over the next few days, but they anticipate it will still be a powerful hurricane through early next week.

Officials say swells caused by Florence will begin to affect Bermuda on Friday.

There are no coastal watches or warnings currently in place.