Tropical Storm Ernesto A few days later, on a Tuesday evening, it was passing over the Virgin Islands. Debbie It has completed its journey along the east coast of the U.S. and is expected to become a hurricane overnight as it passes northeast of Puerto Rico, according to the National Hurricane Center.
As of 8 p.m. ET, forecasters said Ernesto had maximum sustained winds of 65 mph and was moving west-northwest at 18 mph over the Virgin Islands. The center said Ernesto was located about 20 miles east of St. Thomas and about 90 miles east of San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Hurricane watches were in effect for the U.S. Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, Vieques, and Culebra. Tropical storm watches were in effect for Montserrat, Anguilla, the U.S. Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Vieques, and Culebra. Tropical storm watches were lifted by Tuesday evening for St. Maarten, St. Barthélemy, St. Kitts, Nevis, St. Maarten, and Anguilla.
Forecasters expect the storm to strengthen into a hurricane by late Tuesday or early Wednesday.
“Rain will play a much bigger role than wind” when it comes to Ernesto, CBS News senior weather producer David Parkinson said.
National Hurricane Center
The storm is expected to bring 4 to 6 inches of rain to the Leeward Islands and Virgin Islands, 3 to 6 inches to Puerto Rico, and up to 10 inches. Storm surges of up to 3 feet could result in “enormous and destructive waves.” The National Hurricane Center said “significant flooding and landslides” are also possible in the Leeward Islands.
“Given the topography, some models suggest a one-foot tsunami is possible, and even larger waves cannot be ruled out,” Parkinson said. “The U.S. is outside the immediate danger zone, but rip currents and high waves will be a concern along the East Coast.”
Ernesto is the fifth named storm so far in the Atlantic hurricane season and has already Historical after Beryl hits record strength Average temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico have risen early in the season, and NOAA is predicting an above-normal season with 17-25 named storms, 8-13 hurricanes, and 4-7 major hurricanes.
The fifth named storm doesn’t usually form until Aug. 22, according to NOAA.