Just days after Tropical Storm Debby concluded its journey along the US East Coast, Tropical Storm Ernesto has formed in the Atlantic Ocean, CBS News reports, citing the National Hurricane Center (NHC).
The NHC predicts Ernesto will make landfall near or over the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico on Tuesday evening.
As of 8 a.m. ET, forecasters said Ernesto had maximum sustained winds of 45 mph and was moving at 18 mph. It is expected to move across the Leeward Islands on Tuesday morning, which includes the islands in the northeastern Caribbean, and will be near or over the US and British Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico by the evening.
After the storm passes those islands, forecasters expect it will strengthen over the next few days and could reach hurricane strength by Thursday north of the Greater Antilles, which would happen if the storm’s winds reach or surpass 74 mph.
Winds currently extend up to 70 miles from the storm’s center.
The storm is expected to produce between 4 and 6 inches of rain over the Leeward and Virgin Islands, and 3 to 6 inches, and maximum amounts of 10 inches, over Puerto Rico. Storm surge levels could rise as much as 3 feet and bring “large and destructive waves.” The Leeward Islands could also see “considerable flash flooding and mudslides,” the National Hurricane Center said.
Ernesto, the fifth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, has formed just days after Tropical Storm Debby, marking an unusually active start to the season. This activity comes after Tropical Storm Beryl reached record strength earlier this year, a phenomenon attributed to above-average temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration had predicted an above-normal season, forecasting 17-25 named storms, eight to 13 hurricanes, and four to seven major hurricanes.
Historically, the fifth named storm typically doesn’t form until August 22.
