The National Hurricane Center (NHC) is closely tracking a system that could develop into Tropical Storm Ernesto this week. As of the NHC’s 8 a.m.(local time) advisory on Monday (12 August), the system, currently known as Potential Tropical Cyclone Five, was situated approximately 525 miles east-southeast of Antigua and 830 miles east-southeast of San Juan, Puerto Rico.
The system is moving westward at 26 mph with maximum sustained winds of 30 mph. In response to the developing situation, a tropical storm warning has been issued for several regions, including St. Kitts, Nevis, Montserrat, Antigua, Barbuda, Anguilla, Guadeloupe, St. Martin, St. Barthelemy, and Sint Maarten. A tropical storm watch is in effect for the British Virgin Islands, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico, including Vieques and Culebra.
The system is expected to slow down its forward speed over the next few days. It is forecasted to move across parts of the Leeward Islands late tonight or early on 13 August 2024 and approach the U.S. and British Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico by the evening of 13 August.
Some strengthening is anticipated, with the disturbance likely to become a tropical depression later today or tonight and potentially evolve into a tropical storm as it nears the Leeward Islands. The NHC continues to monitor the situation closely and will provide updates as necessary.
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