Hurricane Nigel strengthens as it moves over Atlantic

Hurricane Nigel gathers strength in the Atlantic Ocean (NOAA via AP/PA)

Hurricane Nigel powered up to Category 2 storm status on Tuesday afternoon and could intensify further before it starts weakening in the coming days far out over the Atlantic Ocean, the US National Hurricane Centre said.

Nigel’s top sustained winds rose to 100mph (160kph) by late Tuesday, up from 90mph (145kph) earlier in the day when it was a strong Category 1 hurricane.