Hurricane Oscar gains strength but still no threat to land

MIAMI – Hurricane Oscar has gained a little strength, but forecasters say the storm is curving away from land over the Atlantic Ocean.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center said Oscar was centred Monday evening about 550 miles (885 kilometres) southeast of Bermuda, with top sustained winds of about 90 mph (150 kph).

The storm was moving north at 7 mph (11 kph).

Forecasters at the Miami-based hurricane centre say Oscar has slowed down as it moves north. By Tuesday, the storm is expected to start speeding north-northeast over open waters.

No coastal watches or warnings are in effect.

Oscar is the eighth hurricane of the six-month Atlantic hurricane season that ends Nov. 30.