Ernesto likely to impact Caribbean, 70% chance of Tropical Cyclone formation

The National Hurricane Center is monitoring the next tropical wave, which is moving into the Central Atlantic at present and has a 70% chance of developing into a tropical cyclone Ernesto over the next week. The system is anticipated to likely impact the Caribbean islands, given its current direction.

Once formed, the system will be named Tropical Storm Ernesto, marking the 5th storm of this year after Alberto, Beryl, Chris, and Debby.

According to the information, the showers and thunderstorms linked with this tropical wave were located around 900 miles towards the west-southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands yesterday. As of now, the situation has become a little better organized.

The NHC has also noted that gradual development of this system is likely during the next few days while it moves from westward to west-northwestward across the Atlantic.

As the system moves, it is reported to be near Lesser Antilles by next week, impacting the Caribbean islands including Trinidad and Tobago, Dominican Republic and others.

The NHC forecasted that the system will continue to move generally west-northwestward and could reach parts of the Greater Antilles by the middle of next week.

In addition to this, Chief Meteorologist Allen Strum also talked about the development and noted, “The tropical wave over the Atlantic Ocean now has a high chance to further develop. Through 7 days, the formation chance is 70 percent as of Friday night. Advisories are now likely early next week as this will probably be a tropical depression or tropical storm. Ernesto is the next name on the list.”

Another forecaster also noted that the Leeward Islands, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic, to name a few, should be monitoring the storm.

Notably, the Commonwealth of Dominica has already issued a Tropical Wave Warning #1 as the island will likely face the adverse impacts of this new Tropical Storm. Meanwhile, advisories in other Caribbean nations are now likely to take place early next week as this will probably be a tropical depression or tropical storm.