Tropical Storm Fernand to Stir Bermuda, East Coast Surf

Published on Aug 24, 2025, 10:47 am CDT

6 min read

Tropical Storm Fernand formed southeast of Bermuda on August 24, 2025, and is moving north-northeast over open water. The National Hurricane Center expects some strengthening into Monday, then a weakening trend beginning Tuesday, August 26, with the track staying well east of the island. No coastal watches or warnings are in effect. Bermuda should expect rough seas and gusty squalls as long-period swells arrive, and rip-current risk remains elevated along parts of the U.S. East Coast following Hurricane Erin's large wave field. Travelers should monitor forecasts and airline policies closely.

Key Points

Why it matters: Even without a landfall, Fernand's swells mean dangerous surf, rip currents, and spot coastal flooding.
Travel impact: L.F. Wade International Airport (BDA) operations continue, but ferry and beach conditions vary, and connections can ripple.
What's next: Modest strengthening into Monday, then weakening by Tuesday as Fernand accelerates over cooler water.
NHC track keeps the center well east of Bermuda with no tropical watches or warnings posted.
East Coast beaches face ongoing rip-current statements in several zones as long-period swell persists.

Snapshot

At 5 a.m. AST on August 24, Fernand's center was about 300 miles southeast of Bermuda with maximum sustained winds near 40 mph, moving north-northeast around 15 mph. Forecast guidance keeps the storm over the open Atlantic, passing well east of Bermuda before turning northeast and transitioning later this week. Bermuda's marine forecast calls for rough seas outside the reef, abating as Fernand lifts away. Along the U.S. East Coast, National Weather Service offices continue to issue rip-current statements and coastal hazard messages in some areas, a lingering effect of long-period swells from Erin and now Fernand. Airlines issued earlier waivers for BDA tied to Erin, and travelers should check for any updates.

Background

Bermuda sits roughly 775 miles east-southeast of Cape Hatteras and about two hours by air from New York City, a geography that frequently exposes the island to swell from passing Atlantic cyclones. Hurricane Erin earlier this week generated heavy surf and widespread rip-current alerts along the Eastern Seaboard while sparing the U.S. mainland its core winds. Fernand is a smaller, open-ocean system embedded in the westerlies, so the primary risks are marine, including long-period surf, strong shore break, and intermittent gusty showers as outer bands clip the area. These hazards often persist after a storm's closest approach, especially on south and east-facing beaches. For air travel, surf does not close airports, but weather-driven schedule trims and connection delays can ripple.

Latest Developments

NHC advisory details on Tropical Storm Fernand

The 5 a.m. AST NHC advisory places Fernand at 29.7°N, 60.7°W, about 300 miles southeast of Bermuda, with 40 mph maximum sustained winds and a north-northeast motion near 15 mph. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward roughly 105 miles, mainly southeast of the center. The forecast calls for gradual strengthening through Monday, with peak winds near 50 knots possible before Fernand moves over cooler waters and begins weakening on Tuesday, August 26. No coastal watches or warnings are in effect, and the track keeps the center well east of Bermuda before the system becomes post-tropical by midweek.

Surf, surge, and beach hazards

Bermuda's marine forecast reports seas outside the reef of 6 to 10 feet early Sunday, easing to 4 to 7 feet Monday as Fernand lifts northeast, while inshore seas remain 1 to 3 feet. Strong shore break and rip currents are likely at south- and east-facing beaches, then gradually diminish as swells subside. Along the U.S. East Coast, several NWS offices have maintained rip-current statements and, in spots, coastal flood advisories, reflecting ongoing long-period swell. The practical takeaway for swimmers is simple, follow lifeguard guidance, respect red flags, and expect hazardous surf even under sunny skies.

Airline waivers and operations for BDA

As of August 24, major U.S. carriers had posted flexibility for Bermuda tied to Hurricane Erin's closest pass, with rebooking windows generally around August 21 to 22 and change-fee relief extending into late August. Delta lists a BDA waiver through August 29 for tickets issued on or before August 19. United, American, and JetBlue published similar policies around Erin's dates. No expanded BDA waivers specific to Fernand were posted by press time. Check your airline's travel-alert page before you head to the airport, and monitor L.F. Wade International Airport (BDA) for island-level updates. For broader regional context on surf-driven ripple effects, see our related Hurricane Erin Travel Update: Outer Banks to Bermuda.

Analysis

Fernand is a classic service-journalism scenario where the absence of tropical watches does not equal the absence of travel risk. The primary hazards are marine, not wind, and they express through beach safety, ferry and tender operations, cruise pier work, and schedule reliability for smaller regional flights. For Bermuda, the marine forecast shows a short, punchy window of rough seas that abates as Fernand accelerates. That argues for keeping beach red flags up, minding shore break, and planning around ferry tweaks rather than airport shutdowns. In the U.S., the public-safety challenge is beach behavior. Elevated rip-current risk persists beyond the news cycle, and it often peaks under blue skies when visitors least expect it. For flyers, the airline-waiver posture reflects Erin's earlier timing, not Fernand, so standard fare rules may now apply for new changes. Travelers holding BDA tickets should screenshot any active waivers and reissue options, then build slack into connections, especially at East Coast hubs handling weather, volume, or oceanic reroutes. If your itinerary hinges on beach time or small-boat excursions, shift those plans to midweek once the swell decays.

Final Thoughts

Fernand's track keeps it over open water, but the ocean still does the talking. Expect a one to two-day window of rough seas in Bermuda, with improved conditions by midweek, and lingering rip-current statements at some East Coast beaches. Keep lifeguard advice front and center, confirm ferry and water-activity plans, and refresh airline travel-alert pages before making changes. Service disruptions should be limited and short-lived if the forecast verifies. Stay weather-aware, and you will navigate Tropical Storm Fernand with minimal itinerary impact.