Tropical storm warnings remain in effect for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands as Tropical Storm Ernesto continues to batter the islands with flooding rains and destructive wind gusts, with forecasters warning the storm could strengthen into a hurricane sometime Wednesday.
The tropics have been active in recent weeks with the development of Hurricane Debby, which made its first landfall in Florida and then a second landfall in South Carolina as a tropical storm.
It was followed by Invest 98L and then Potential Tropical Depression 5, which strengthened as it moved across the warm waters of the tropical Atlantic, eventually becoming what is now Tropical Storm Ernesto.
What is the forecast for Tropical Storm Ernesto?
Tropical Storm Ernesto is located about 85 miles north-northwest of San Juan, Puerto Rico, and is moving northwest at 16 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC).
Tropical Storm Ernesto has maximum sustained winds of 70 mph, and the NHC said it will likely become a hurricane later Wednesday. Forecasters also said Ernesto could become a major hurricane (Category 3 or higher) within the next few days.
According to the NHC, Typhoon Ernesto is expected to change course to the north-northwest late Wednesday night into Thursday, then move north and gradually slow down, which would put the center of the storm north of Puerto Rico by midday on Wednesday.
Ernesto is expected to move over the western Atlantic later this week and is likely to move near Bermuda on Saturday.
Millions of people in the region are bracing for the potential impacts of the storm, including heavy rain that could trigger rockslides. Landslide and floodAdditionally, there is the potential for large, destructive waves, dangerous rip currents, and deadly storm surges.
“Ernesto is expected to bring rainfall totals of 4 to 6 inches across the U.S. and British Virgin Islands,” the NHC said in its latest update. “Totals of 6 to 8 inches, with up to 10 inches, are expected in southeastern Puerto Rico, while totals of 2 to 4 inches are expected in northwestern Puerto Rico.”
Where are watches and warnings issued for Tropical Storm Ernesto?
Tropical storm warnings remain in effect for the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, the British Virgin Islands, Vieques and Culebra.
Will Tropical Storm Ernesto impact the continental US?
Tropical Storm Ernesto is expected to shift northward over the western Atlantic as it moves away from Puerto Rico, according to the NHC.
At this time, Ernesto does not appear to be making any direct impacts on the continental U.S., but large swells generated by Ernesto are expected to reach the East Coast and Bermuda later this week and into the weekend. These large waves could cause life-threatening rough seas and low tides on beaches.
