Source: Loop Caribbean
The 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season heats up again as Tropical Storm Ernesto has formed and is expected to bring tropical-storm-force winds and heavy rains to portions of the Leeward Islands beginning late tonight.
The US National Hurricane Center in its 5 pm update said the storm was located about 295 miles east southeast of Antigua.
According to its summary of watches and warnings, a Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for:
St Kitts, Nevis, Montserrat, Antigua, Barbuda, and Anguilla
Guadeloupe
St Martin and St Barthelemy
Sint Maarten
British Virgin Islands
US Virgin Islands
Puerto Rico
Vieques
Culebra
Interests elsewhere in the northeastern Caribbean should monitor the progress of Ernesto.
The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said on the forecast track, that Ernesto is expected to move across portions of the Leeward Islands late tonight or Tuesday and near or over the US and British Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico by Tuesday evening. Ernesto is then forecast to turn northward over the western Atlantic.
Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 40 mph (65 km/h) with higher gusts. Gradual strengthening is expected during the next few days. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 60 miles (95 km) from the centre.