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.

Tropical Storm Fernand (fair-NAHN) is the newest player in the Atlantic.The storm formed from an area of interest labeled Invest 90-L by the National Hurricane Center. It is forecast to maintain a north-northeasterly course before weakening near Newfoundland in the northern Atlantic Ocean.