Ernesto Becomes a Hurricane, Aimed at Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands

Hurricane Ernesto is North of Puerto Rico but will likely bring significant flooding and heavy rains to the island and the Virgin Islands as well.

Current Position/Movement:

LOCATION...20.5N 67.6W

ABOUT 175 MI...280 KM NW OF SAN JUAN PUERTO RICO

ABOUT 835 MI...1340 KM SSW OF BERMUDA

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...75 MPH...120 KM/H

PRESENT MOVEMENT...NW OR 310 DEGREES AT 16 MPH...26 KM/H

MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...991 MB...29.27 INCHES

Watches and Warnings:

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for...

* British Virgin Islands

* U.S. Virgin Islands

* Puerto Rico

* Vieques and Culebra

At 1100 AM AST (1500 UTC), the center of Hurricane Ernesto was located near latitude 20.5 North, longitude 67.6 West. Ernesto is moving toward the northwest near 16 mph (26 km/h). A turn toward the north-northwest and north is expected later today and tonight, with a generally northward motion at a slower forward speed continuing through Saturday. On the forecast track, the center of Ernesto will continue to move away from Puerto Rico today, move across the western Atlantic during the next few days, and approach Bermuda Friday and Saturday.

Data from Air Force Reserve and NOAA Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicate that maximum sustained winds have increased to near 75 mph (120 km/h) with higher gusts. Additional strengthening is forecast during the next couple of days.