Tropical Storm Ernesto updates from the National Hurricane Center for Wednesday, Aug 14

Article first published: Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2024, 5 a.m. ET

Article last updated: Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2024, 8 a.m. ET

As per the National Hurricane Center's 8 am Wednesday update, Tropical Storm Ernesto is 125 miles northwest of San Juan Puerto Rico, with maximum sustained wind of 70 mph. It’s moving 16 mph to the northwest.

"A turn toward the north-northwest and north with a gradual decrease in forward speed is expected tonight and Thursday." meteorologists state. "On the forecast track, the center of Ernesto will move northward away from Puerto Rico through today." They also said "Ernesto is expected to become a hurricane later today and could become a major hurricane in a couple of days."

YESTERDAY (Tuesday):

Yesterday, Ernesto left British Virgin Islands and headed to the Atlantic Ocean

The Virgin Islands, Vieques, and culebra placed under a hurricane watch by forecasters.

CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY:

The Hurricane Watch has been discontinued for the British Virgin Islands.

SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for:

- British Virgin Islands

- U.S. Virgin Islands

- Puerto Rico

- Vieques and Culebra

A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area.

Interests in Bermuda should monitor the progress of Ernesto.

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND:

RAINFALL: Ernesto is expected to produce total rain accumulations of 4 to 6 inches over the U.S and British Virgin Islands. Rainfall totals of 6 to 8 inches, with maximum amounts of 10 inches, are expected across southeastern Puerto Rico, with totals of 2 to 4 inches across northwestern Puerto Rico.

For a complete depiction of forecast rainfall associated with Ernesto, please see the National Weather Service Storm Total Rainfall Graphic, available at hurricanes.gov/graphics_at5.shtml? Rainqpf

WIND: Tropical storm conditions will continue across the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Vieques, and Culebra through the overnight hours. Hurricane conditions are possible in portions of the watch area during the next few hours.

STORM SURGE: Minor coastal flooding remains possible in areas of onshore winds along the eastern coast of Puerto Rico, including the islands of Culebra and Vieques, and in the U.S. Virgin Islands, including St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix.

SURF: Swells generated by Ernesto are affecting portions of the Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. These swells will reach the Turks and Caicos Islands and southeastern Bahamas today, and Bermuda and the rest of the Bahamas on Thursday. Swells are expected to reach the east coast of the United States Thursday night and continue into the weekend. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.

Source: National Hurricane Center

This story was originally published August 13, 2024 at 11:11 AM.