Millions of people across the Caribbean are bracing for the force of Tropical Storm Ernesto, the fifth of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, which is expected to hit the Caribbean, including the U.S. territories of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, bringing heavy rains, large and destructive waves and potentially life-threatening storm surges.
The tropics have been active in recent weeks with the development of Hurricane Debby, which made landfall first in Florida and then a second time in South Carolina as a tropical storm.
It was soon followed by Invest 98L and then Potential Tropical Depression No. 5, which strengthened as it moved through the warm waters of the tropical Atlantic, eventually becoming what is now Tropical Storm Ernesto.
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) said Ernesto will likely strengthen due to improving circulation and organization.
What is the forecast for Tropical Storm Ernesto?
Tropical Storm Ernesto continues to move westward and will begin bringing tropical storm conditions to the region on Tuesday, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC).
A wind gust of 53 mph was reported in St. Barthelemy, and tropical storm warning areas in the Leeward Islands were expected to reach tropical storm conditions in the coming hours, with similar conditions expected in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico later Tuesday, the NHC said.
The NHC further said that gradual strengthening was expected over the next few days, with Ernesto potentially reaching hurricane strength by Thursday over oceans north of the Greater Antilles.
“Tropical Storm Ernesto is expected to bring rainfall totals of 4 to 6 inches to parts of the Leeward Islands and Virgin Islands. Puerto Rico is expected to get 3 to 6 inches of rain, including up to 10 inches of rain.” N.H.C. In Tuesday’s update.
The NHC said Tropical Storm Ernesto was expected to move across parts of the Leeward Islands on Tuesday morning and pass near or over the U.S., British Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico by Tuesday evening.
“Ernesto is forecast to move northward over the western Atlantic after passing Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands,” the NHC said.
The latest track of Ernesto has it approaching Bermuda late this week and into this weekend, but the NHC said it was too early to tell how Ernesto would affect the island.
Where are watches and warnings issued for Tropical Storm Ernesto?
Tropical storm warnings have been issued as Tropical Storm Ernesto poses a threat to the Leeward Islands, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Heavy rain is expected to fall through the middle of the week, raising the risk of flooding and landslides on the islands.
Will Tropical Storm Ernesto impact the US?
The NHC says Tropical Storm Ernesto will move west toward the Caribbean islands and eventually move north once it reaches Puerto Rico.
At this time, Ernesto has no plans to contact the United States.
