Kyle grows to hurricane after passing Bermuda

(CNN) -- A tropical storm strengthened into Hurricane Kyle on Saturday as it churned in the Atlantic Ocean west of Bermuda, the National Hurricane Center reported.

Forecasters issued tropical storm and hurricane watches for coastal Maine on Saturday. Kyle, a Category 1 hurricane, is forecast to make landfall late Sunday or early Monday near the border between Maine and Canada.

The Bermuda government discontinued a tropical storm warning for the island after it dodged a direct hit.

As of 5 a.m. ET Sunday, Kyle's center was about 255 miles southeast of Boston, MA.

The storm formed Thursday east of the Bahamas. Kyle's maximum sustained winds were near 75 mph (120 kmh), with higher gusts, barely hurricane strength. Some strengthening was expected, forecasters said.

Kyle was moving north northeast at 21 mph. "On the forecast track, the center of Kyle is forecast to be near eastern New England or the Canadian Maritimes late Sunday."

A hurricane watch, meaning hurricane conditions are possible within 36 hours, was issued for coastal Maine from Stonington to Eastport.

A tropical storm watch was issued for areas south of Stonington to Cape Elizabeth, including Portland. The watch means tropical storm conditions are possible within 36 hours.

The storm could bring 4 inches of rain to New England, with isolated amounts of 6 inches possible in some locations through Monday.