Now a powerful Category Four storm, Hurricane Nicole churned toward Bermuda late Wednesday, with a direct hit possible, forecasters warned.

"On the forecast track, the core of Nicole will pass over or near Bermuda on Thursday," the US National Hurricane Center said in a 0300 GMT update.

The storm's top sustained winds have increased to near 130 miles (215 kilometers) per hour, with higher gusts, the NHC said. Nicole was about 180 miles (290 kilometers) south-southwest of the British islands in the Atlantic, moving north-northeast at 12 miles per hour.