U.S. weather forecasters say Hurricane Ophelia is strengthening near Bermuda and could bring tropical storm-force winds to the British territory on Saturday.

The National Hurricane Center in Miami said in its latest bulletin Friday that Ophelia had intensified to a Category 3 storm with winds of 195 kilometers per hour. The system was located 770 kilometers south-southeast of Bermuda, where a tropical storm watch is in effect.

Forecasters warn that large swells created by Ophelia will cause hazardous surf conditions along Bermuda's south-facing beaches and bring up to 3 centimeters of rain to the territory.

The hurricane center is also monitoring Tropical Storm Philippe, which is swirling in the Atlantic but remains far from land. No coastal watches or warnings are in effect.