Tropical Storm Ernesto continues to barrel across the Caribbean and hurricane watches have now been issued for some areas, including the US Virgin Islands, as millions of people in the region face impacts.
San Juan, Puerto Rico – A hurricane watch was issued for the U.S. Virgin Islands on Tuesday as Tropical Storm Ernesto continues to barrel across the Caribbean, bringing flooding rains, damaging winds and life-threatening storm surge to the region.
The tropics have become more active over the past few weeks with the development of Hurricane Debbie, which made its first landfall in the United States. FloridaAnd then the second American landslide South Carolina As a A tropical storm.
As it moved into the warmer waters of the tropical Atlantic, INVEST 98 L and Potential Tropical Cyclone Five were hot on its heels. Ocean And eventually became what is now Tropical Storm Ernesto.
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What is the forecast for Tropical Storm Ernesto?
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According to National Hurricane Center (NHC), Tropical Storm Ernesto was located about 250 miles east-southeast of San Juan, Puerto Rico, and was moving west at 18 mph with sustained winds of 50 mph.
That general motion is expected to continue through Tuesday night, with a slow turn toward the northwest and north expected Wednesday and Thursday.
Along that track, Tropical Storm Ernesto’s center should pass near or over the Virgin Islands Tuesday night and move northeast and north of Puerto Rico Tuesday night and Wednesday.
Tropical Storm Ernesto should move toward Bermuda in the western Atlantic Ocean this weekend.
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Where are Tropical Storm Ernesto watches and warnings in effect?
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A hurricane watch was issued for the US Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, Culebra and Vieques late Tuesday. A hurricane watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area, in this case, within the next 12 hours, the NHC said.
A tropical storm warning is in effect for Puerto Rico and most of the northern Leeward Islands. Tropical storm warnings are issued when tropical storm conditions are expected within the warning zone within 36 hours.
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Millions of people across the region are bracing for the storm’s potential impacts, including heavy rainfall that could trigger rock slides, mudslides and flooding. Additionally, large and destructive surf is possible, as well as dangerous rip currents and dangerous storm surge.
“Tropical Storm Ernesto is expected to produce 4 to 6 inches of rain from Guadeloupe in the Leeward Islands to Dominica, and across the U.S. and British Virgin Islands,” the NHC said in its latest update. Across northwestern Puerto Rico, totals of 2 to 4 inches are expected.
Will Tropical Storm Ernesto Hit the US Mainland?
(Fox Weather)
According to the NHC, Tropical Storm Ernesto is expected to turn north in the western Atlantic Ocean after passing Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
Additional strengthening is possible, and Ernesto could become a hurricane Thursday in the waters north of the Greater Antilles.
At this time, Ernesto does not appear to be directly affecting the mainland United States, download the free FOX Weather app and turn on notifications to alert you of any changes to Tropical Storm Ernesto’s forecast.
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