Ernesto barrels towards Puerto Rico.

Tropical Storm Ernesto Batters Caribbean, Expected to Become Hurricane

Tropical Storm Ernesto is expected to strengthen into a hurricane as it passes northeast of Puerto Rico, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) warned in its latest advisory.

"If you're in those areas, you need to go ahead and get prepared for a potential for hurricane conditions." - NHC Deputy Director Jamie Rhome

At 8 p.m. AST, Ernesto was 20 miles east of St. Thomas, heading for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The storm has already caused flight cancellations and school closures.

Track Ernesto's path here.

The NHC has placed the U.S., British Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico under hurricane watches. The storm is expected to bring 4-8 inches of rain, with the potential for more.

Ernesto is forecasted to turn north towards Bermuda, gaining strength over the Atlantic.

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USA TODAY: Tracking Tropical Storm Ernesto

Stay up-to-date with [USA TODAY's coverage](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.google.com/search?q%3DUSA%2520TODAY%2527s%2520coverage%2520of%2520Tropical%2520Storm%2520Ernesto%26site%3Dwww.usatoday.com%26 katastru_tp%3Ds%26source%3Dkamai-tp%26bpabc%3D0%26cbd%3D%26abc%3DGoogle%2520News%26abhi%3D2886779%26refurl%3Dhttps://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/07/07/tropical-storm-ernesto-forms-2020-caribbean-hurricane-center-track-path-updates/5386476002/&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGwXpk5FcXmvWcTSUIMRQKwnP3kBlg) as it brings dangerous weather conditions to the Caribbean.