Tropical Storm Ernesto is expected to strengthen into a hurricane in the Atlantic by Thursday, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Ernesto was in the Caribbean on Tuesday morning, about 300 miles east southeast of San Juan, Puerto Rico and moving west at 18 mph with 45 mph maximum sustained winds.
The storm is forecast to move over the Leeward Islands on Tuesday morning, which includes the U.S. Virgin Islands and Saint Martin, and reach Puerto Rico by the evening.
“After passing Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, Ernesto is forecast to turn northward over the western Atlantic,” the hurricane center said.
The storm will continue strengthening over the next few days and is expected to become a hurricane just north of the Greater Antilles — which includes Cuba, Puerto Rico and Jamaica — by Thursday.
Ernesto will bring 4 to 6 inches of rain to parts of the Leeward and Virgin Islands, and 3 to 6 inches of rain to Puerto Rico, where up to 10 inches are also possible in some areas, according to the NHC.
Water levels may increase by up to 3 feet above ground level on the east coast of Puerto Rico, as well as for the U.S. and British Virgin Islands. Large and destructive waves may accompany the storm surge near the coast of the British Virgin Islands.
Puerto Rico has already activated the National Guard and canceled the start of classes in public schools, The Associated Press reported.
Tropical storm warnings have been issued for Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Martin and Sint Maarten , Guadeloupe and St. Barts.
