NHC Tracking TS Ernesto in Caribbean

The National Hurricane Center in Miami is currently tracking Tropical Storm Ernesto, as it progresses further into the Caribbean Sea. According to the NHC’s 8:00 A.M. AST bulletin, Ernesto was about 40 miles, 65 km, west southwest of the island of St. Lucia and about 25 miles, 45 km west northwest of the island of St. Vincent.

Maximum sustained winds were 45 mph, 75 km/h, as the storm continued to move westward at around 24 mph, 39 km/h. According to the NHC’s five day tracking forecast, Ernesto will continue to move westward, passing south of Cuba, but probably over several islands, including Jamaica, before coming ashore either on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula or the far western portion of Cuba by next Wednesday.

Tropical storm warnings are in effect for Dominica, St. Lucia, Martinique and Guadeloupe. Ernesto’s forward speed is expected to increase slightly as it continues to move west. The NHC said “some strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 115 miles, 185 km, mainly to the north and east of the center.”

Source: National Hurricane Center