Hurricane Warnings Issued as Tropical Storm Ernesto Strengthens

San Juan, Puerto Rico – The U.S. National Weather Service issued a hurricane warning Tuesday for the Virgin Islands as Tropical Storm Ernesto continues to strengthen as it barrels through the Caribbean, bringing heavy rains, damaging winds and a life-threatening storm surge to the region.

The tropics have become more active over the past few weeks as Hurricane Debbie developed, making its first landfall in the United States. Floridathen a second American landing in South Carolina As tropical storm.

Immediately following was Hurricane Invest 98L, then a potential tropical cyclone five, which began to organize as it moved over the warm waters of the tropical Atlantic Ocean. circumference It eventually developed into what is now known as Tropical Storm Ernesto.

ERNESTO TRACKER: Forecast cone, track, live conditions, spaghetti models and more

What is the forecast for Tropical Storm Ernesto?

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According to National Hurricane Center The National Hurricane Center said Tropical Storm Ernesto is located about 250 miles east-southeast of San Juan, Puerto Rico, moving west at 18 mph with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph.

This general movement is expected to continue through Tuesday night, with a shift toward the northwest and north at a slower speed on Wednesday and Thursday.

On this track, the center of Tropical Storm Ernesto is expected to pass near or over the Virgin Islands Tuesday evening, then pass directly northeast and north of Puerto Rico Tuesday evening and Wednesday.

Tropical Storm Ernesto is expected to move over the western Atlantic Ocean later this week toward Bermuda.

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Where are the warnings and advisories for Tropical Storm Ernesto?

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A hurricane warning was issued for the U.S. Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, Culebra and Vieques late Tuesday morning. The National Hurricane Center said a hurricane warning means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area, in this case, within 12 hours or so.

A Tropical Storm Warning remains in effect for Puerto Rico and most of the northern Leeward Islands. Tropical Storm Warnings are issued when tropical storm conditions are expected to occur within the warning area within 36 hours.

August is the second busiest month of the hurricane season.

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Millions of people across the region have prepared for the potential impacts of the storm, including heavy rainfall that could lead to rockfalls, mudslides and flooding. In addition, destructive waves, dangerous water currents and a potentially devastating storm surge are also possible.

“Tropical Storm Ernesto is expected to produce total rainfall amounts of 4 to 6 inches over portions of the Leeward Islands from Guadeloupe to Dominica and across the United States and British Virgin Islands,” the National Hurricane Center said in its latest update. “Rainfall totals of 6 to 8 inches, with a maximum amount of 10 inches, are expected across southeastern Puerto Rico, with totals of 2 to 4 inches across northwestern Puerto Rico.”

Will Tropical Storm Ernesto affect the US mainland?

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According to the National Hurricane Center, Tropical Storm Ernesto is expected to move northward over the western Atlantic Ocean after passing Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

It is likely to strengthen further, and Ernesto could become a hurricane on Thursday over waters north of the Greater Antilles.

At this time, it does not appear that Ernesto will directly impact the mainland United States. Download the free FOX Weather app and enable notifications to receive alerts about any changes in the forecast for Tropical Storm Ernesto.