Forecasters are continuing to monitor strengthening Tropical Storm Fernand swirling over the open waters of the Atlantic as Invest 99L has fizzled over the eastern Caribbean Sea.

C OLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - Thankfully, Fernand remained well east of Bermuda, avoiding a direct hit of the island. This morning, Fernand remains a Tropical Storm, with sustained winds of 50 MPH.

The Miami-based National Hurricane Center reported Fernand was located some 295 miles (475 kilometers) east of Bermuda by late Sunday afternoon.