Tropical Storm Ernesto It was moving over the Virgin Islands on Tuesday evening, just days after Debbie The hurricane has completed its journey along the U.S. East Coast. It is expected to become a hurricane overnight as it moves northeast of Puerto Rico, according to the National Hurricane Center.
As of 8pm ET, Meteorologists said Ernesto had maximum sustained winds of 65 mph and was moving west-northwest at 18 mph as it moved over the Virgin Islands. The hurricane was about 20 miles east of St. Thomas and about 90 miles east of San Juan, Puerto Rico, the center said.
A hurricane warning was in effect for the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, Vieques and Culebra. A tropical storm warning was in effect for Montserrat and Anguilla, as well as the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Vieques and Culebra. Tropical storm warnings were discontinued for St. Maarten, St. Barthelemy, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Martin and Anguilla by Tuesday evening.
Meteorologists expect the storm to strengthen into a hurricane by late Tuesday or early Wednesday.
“Rain is going to be a much bigger player than wind” when it comes to Ernesto, said CBS News senior weather producer David Parkinson.
National Hurricane Center
The storm is expected to drop 4 to 6 inches of rain over the Leeward and Virgin Islands, and 3 to 6 inches, with a maximum of 10 inches over Puerto Rico. Storm surges could rise to 3 feet, creating “large and destructive waves.” The Leeward Islands could also experience “significant flash flooding and mudslides,” the NHC said.
“Some models suggest a potential 1-foot rise in water levels given the terrain, so higher totals cannot be ruled out,” Parkinson said. “The United States remains out of the danger zone for direct impacts, but strong currents and larger waves will be a concern along the East Coast.”
Ernesto is the fifth named storm so far this Atlantic hurricane season, which has already proven to be Historically, after Beryl reached record strength, Early in the season, temperatures were above average in the Gulf of Mexico. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicted an above-normal season, with 17 to 25 named storms, eight to 13 hurricanes, and four to seven major hurricanes.
The fifth named storm usually does not occur until August 22According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
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