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NHC says new tropical storm forming

A cyclone disturbance is gaining strength, and it's called Potential Tropical Cyclone Five for now. But it won't be long until it's upgraded to Tropical Storm Ernesto, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Published August 12, 2024 at 7:00am by Gabe Hauari

Potential Tropical Storm Five Expected to Hit Caribbean, Puerto Rico Under Tropical Storm Watch

The National Hurricane Center is tracking a disturbance that could become the season's next named storm as it moves rapidly westward. The system is forecast to strengthen into a tropical storm as it approaches the Leeward Islands, with maximum sustained winds near 30 mph and higher gusts.

"A tropical storm watch is in effect for the following: Guadeloupe, the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and nearby islands."

The NHC issued an advisory Monday morning, saying the system is expected to slow down over the next few days as it moves across the Leeward Islands Tuesday, reaching the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico by evening. The disturbance is likely to become a tropical depression by Monday and a tropical storm shortly after, with the potential to bring tropical storm conditions within 48 hours.

The tropical storm watch includes:

Guadeloupe
St. Kitts, Nevis, Montserrat, Antigua, Barbuda, and Anguilla
Saba and St. Eustatius
St. Martin and St. Barthelemy
Sint Maarten
British Virgin Islands
U.S. Virgin Islands
Puerto Rico, Vieques, and Culebra

URLs:

National Hurricane Center: https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/
Monday morning advisory: https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/MIATCPAT5+shtml/120836.shtml?
Atlantic Storm Tracker map: https://data.usatoday.com/storm/