Tropical Storm Ernesto emerged on Monday in the Atlantic and is currently near Guadeloupe in the Leeward Islands, moving rapidly westward at a speed of 31 km/h. As of 5:00 a.m. AST (09:00 UTC), Ernesto's center was located approximately 15 km southeast of Guadeloupe and 565 km east-southeast of San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Ernesto's maximum sustained winds reach 65 km/h, with stronger gusts, and it is expected to gradually strengthen in the coming days, potentially becoming a hurricane by Thursday. A tropical storm warning has been issued for several islands in the northeastern Caribbean, including Puerto Rico, St. Kitts and Nevis, Montserrat, Antigua, Barbuda, Anguilla, Guadeloupe, St. Martin, St. Barthelemy, Sint Maarten, the British Virgin Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Vieques, and Culebra.
This warning indicates that tropical storm conditions are expected in these areas within the next 36 hours. Forecast models do not predict that Ernesto will affect either Cuba or Florida. Ernesto is expected to produce rainfall of 4 to 6 inches in parts of the Leeward Islands and the Virgin Islands, while Puerto Rico could see accumulations of up to 10 inches in some areas.
Tropical storm-force winds, which extend up to 110 km from the center, will begin to impact the Leeward Islands in the next few hours and will spread to the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico by nighttime. Additionally, a storm surge is expected to raise water levels by 1 to 3 feet above ground level on the east coast of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, with large, dangerous waves potentially generating deadly rip currents.
Following its impact on Puerto Rico, Ernesto is projected to continue its path over the western Atlantic by midweek. So far this hurricane season in the Atlantic basin, which began on June 1, five tropical storms have formed: Alberto, Beryl, Chris, Debby, and Ernesto. Among them, Beryl and Debby strengthened into hurricanes, with Beryl even reaching the highest category on the Saffir-Simpson scale, Category 5, causing destruction and fatalities in the Caribbean and the United States.
This Atlantic hurricane season is expected to be one of the most active and intense in decades, with up to 25 storms and 13 hurricanes predicted to form.
Tropical Storm Ernesto and Its Potential Impact
Here are some frequently asked questions about Tropical Storm Ernesto and what to expect in the coming days.
What areas are under a tropical storm warning for Ernesto?
A tropical storm warning has been issued for several islands in the northeastern Caribbean, including Puerto Rico, St. Kitts and Nevis, Montserrat, Antigua, Barbuda, Anguilla, Guadeloupe, St. Martin, St. Barthelemy, Sint Maarten, the British Virgin Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Vieques, and Culebra.
What are the expected wind speeds for Ernesto?
Ernesto's maximum sustained winds reach 65 km/h, with stronger gusts, and are expected to strengthen over the next few days, potentially becoming a hurricane by Thursday.
Will Ernesto affect Cuba or Florida?
Forecast models do not predict that Ernesto will affect either Cuba or Florida.
How much rainfall is expected from Ernesto?
Ernesto is expected to produce rainfall of 4 to 6 inches in parts of the Leeward Islands and the Virgin Islands, while Puerto Rico could see accumulations of up to 10 inches in some areas.