Following the effects of tropical storm Debby earlier this month, Ernesto is gaining strength and is expected to become the third hurricane of the 2024 season by the end of this week.
Ernesto, now recognized as the fifth tropical storm of the Atlantic season, reached maximum sustained winds of approximately 65 km/h this morning.
The storm is anticipated to reach hurricane status over the waters north of the Greater Antilles by 15AUG.
According to the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC), Ernesto is expected to bring heavy rain and large, destructive waves to the Leeward and Virgin Islands, as well as Puerto Rico.
The NHC forecasts Ernesto to approach Puerto Rico, the U.S., and the British Virgin Islands on Tuesday (13AUG) evening and warns of life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.
Tropical storm warnings are in effect for Puerto Rico, the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, Antigua, Barbuda, Anguilla, St. Kitts, Nevis, Montserrat, Guadeloupe, St. Martin, St. Barts, and St. Maarten.
CNN reports that early tracking suggests Ernesto will not follow Debby’s continental US-bound path. It is expected to curve north and intensify into a hurricane over warm ocean water, potentially threatening Bermuda.
"Ernesto is forecast to become a hurricane after it makes its northward turn. Where exactly it takes that turn could be crucial for any potential impact in Bermuda Friday night or Saturday," reports The Weather Channel.
Royal Caribbean is changing the itinerary for the Icon of the Seas due to the storm. The ship was scheduled to visit St. Thomas, St. Kitts and the Bahamas.
“We’ll now visit some of our popular Western Caribbean destinations – Cozumel, Mexico; Roatán, Honduras; and Costa Maya, Mexico,” Royal Caribbean stated.
As for Atlantic Canada, The Weather Network states, "While it's still far too early to say, some long range models do suggest that Ernesto could pass near enough to the Canadian East Coast to bring heavy rainfall early to mid next week.
"This storm will certainly be one to watch this week."
Top forecasters in the U.S. are predicting 23 named storms, 11 hurricanes and five major hurricanes this year. It’s the highest number of hurricanes ever predicted in an April forecast by Colorado State University since the team began releasing forecasts in 1995.
