Hurricane Ernesto was far from Florida on Monday morning, but the swells generated by the storm , which battered Bermuda and roiled the Atlantic Ocean all weekend, are still a danger.
The good news, according to the National Hurricane Center's 5 a.m. Monday outlook , is that no other tropical cyclones are expected in the Atlantic over the next 7 days.
Ernesto made landfall early Saturday morning as a Category 1 hurricane on Bermuda , then downgraded to a tropical storm, but winds had picked up again and the system continues north northeast at a fast 21 mph as a hurricane. As of 5 a.m. the storm was 340 miles south southeast of Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Three deaths are being blamed on rough seas caused by Ernesto , all from swimmers who drowned off the coast of the Carolinas.
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The formation of the latest storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season came just over a week after Hurricane Debby made landfall on Florida's Big Bend Monday, Aug. 5.
What is the short-term hurricane forecast?
There are no threats on the horizon in the wake of Ernesto, according to the NHC and Ryan Truchelut , a Florida meteorologist who works with the USA TODAY Network.
"While many supportive factors for storm development are in place, the Atlantic remains awash in enough dry air and Saharan dust to exsanguinate tropical waves for now. This should change sometime in the last week of August," Truchelut predicts.
National Hurricane Center launches new 'cone of concern' with Hurricane Ernesto
The National Hurricane Center launched its new "cone of concern " for Hurricane Ernesto Thursday, Aug. 14.
You won't see many differences between the original and new cone with Ernesto since one of the biggest differences is that the new cone will show wind warnings issued for interior counties, not just those on the coast.
Both cones are visible on the Hurricane Center's website. Find the new cone by going to the graphics page for Hurricane Ernesto, then clicking on the New Experimental Cone highlighted in red.
Differences you'll see:
- Watches and warnings for inland counties, not just coastal areas.
- White transparent shading for the entire five-day forecast, instead of white stippling (dots) for the four- and five-day forecast.
Hurricane Ernesto: What you need to know
- Location: 340 miles south of Halifax, Nova Scotia
- Maximum sustained winds: 85 mph
- Movement: North-northeast at 21 mph
- Next advisory: 11 a.m.
Watches, warnings issued for Florida, US
No watches or warning directly connected to Hurricane Ernesto have been issued for Florida. However, rip current statements and small craft advisories have been issued along most of Florida's East Coast as swells from Ernesto reach the coast.
A tropical storm warning has been issued for:
- There are no tropical weather watches or warnings in effect though dangerous beach conditions will persist on the East Coast of the U.S. for days.
Interests in southeastern Newfoundland should monitor the progress of Ernesto.
How strong is Hurricane Ernesto and where is it going?
At 5 a.m. AST Monday, the center of Hurricane Ernesto was located near latitude 40.2 North, longitude 60.5 West.
Ernesto gained speed overnight, currently moving northeast at 21 mph.
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Spaghetti models for Hurricane Ernesto
Special note about spaghetti models: Illustrations include an array of forecast tools and models, and not all are created equal. The Hurricane Center uses only the top four or five highest performing models to help make its forecasts.
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Predicted impact on Florida from Hurricane Ernesto
Beachgoers along the U.S. East Coast can expect a high risk of dangerous rip currents , for days, the Hurricane Center said.
Ernesto Florida impacts: Hurricane Ernesto may affect your Florida beach plans. Here's timeline and what to expect
Key messages from the National Hurricane Center: What you need to know about Hurricane Ernesto
Swells generated by Ernesto are affecting portions of the Bahamas, Bermuda, the east coast of the United States, and Atlantic Canada. Life-threatening surf and rip current conditions are likely to continue in these areas during the next couple of days. In southeastern Newfoundland large breaking waves could bring the possibility of coastal flooding, particularly along southwest-facing shorelines from Burin east to Avalon regions. Please consult products from your local weather office, and stay out of the water if advised by lifeguards.
What else is out there and how likely are they to strengthen?
The National Hurricane Center was not tracking any other disturbances at 5 a.m. Monday.
Interactive map: What tropical storms, hurricanes have impacted your area in the past?
When is the Atlantic hurricane season?
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30.
When is the peak of hurricane season?
The peak of the season is Sept. 10, with the most activity happening between mid-August and mid-October, according to the Hurricane Center.
Excessive rainfall forecast
What's next?
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This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Hurricane Ernesto speeds through Atlantic as National Hurricane Center warns of rough surf
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