Tropical Storm Sean has taken more of a turn to the east northeast under increasing westerly shear - evident on satellite imagery Thursday afternoon - which could put the storm just northwest of Bermuda, if that trend continues, around sunrise Friday morning. This motion would also delay the onset of passage over rapidly cooler SSTs. Some additional intensification is still possible prior to Friday afternoon, and strong tropical storm force winds are likely on Bermuda later tonight and Friday morning.

There is also a chance that the strong upper level westerly shear could decouple the system and expose the low level center - which would weaken the system somewhat before it gets close to Bermuda, but tropical storm force winds would still be expected on the island.
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