Bermuda ready for heavy rain, winds as Tropical Storm Fay heads for nighttime pass-by

This NOAA satellite image taken Saturday, October 11, 2014 at 10:45 AM EDT shows Tropical Storm Fay in the southwestern Atlantic Basin. Fay is currently about 265 miles south of Bermuda moving northward with maximum winds of 70 miles per hour. Fay will pass just to the east of Bermuda as it is moves into the central Atlantic.(AP PHOTO/WEATHER UNDERGROUND) (The Associated Press)

HAMILTON, Bermuda – Tropical Storm Fay headed toward a close brush with Bermuda before dawn Sunday, and the British island territory off the U.S. coast prepared for heavy rains, high winds and rough surf.

Fay was centered about 95 miles (155 kilometers) south of Bermuda late Saturday and moving north at 17 mph (28 kph). The storm had maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (110 kph).

A tropical storm warning was in effect on Bermuda. The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami said Fay was not expected to gain any more strength, but warned that hurricane conditions were still a possibility and islanders should stay alert.

Fay was expected to pass just southeast of Bermuda before dawn, dumping up to 5 inches (13 centimeters) of rain in some areas. Bermuda's government weather service warned that the storm would cause hazardous surf throughout Sunday.

Forecasters said a cold front was likely to absorb Fay on Monday.