Tropical Storm Warnings Issued For Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands

Tropical Storm warnings have been issued for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands as Potential Tropical Cyclone Five churns in the Atlantic Ocean . The cyclone is forecast to strengthen into Tropical Storm Ernesto by Tuesday (August 13) as it moves west toward the Leeward Islands.

"On the forecast track, the disturbance is expected to move across portions of the Leeward Islands late tonight or Tuesday and approach the U.S. and British Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico Tuesday evening," the National Hurricane Center said .

Meteorologists are warning the storm could bring up to ten inches of flooding rains and damaging winds to Puerto Rico before heading north and strengthening into a hurricane later in the week.

Most forecast models show the storm system will stay away from the East Coast of the U.S. as it strengthens in the mid-Atlantic. Depending on its track, it could pose a threat to Bermuda by Friday or Saturday.