Ernesto Chugs Westward; Takes Aim At Caribbean

By Samantha Kramer, AccuWeather.com Staff Writer
August 04, 2012; 6:05 AM
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Enhanced infrared satellite imagery taken Saturday morning shows Tropical Storm Ernesto moving westward. (NOAA)

Tropical Storm Ernesto, despite a ragged appearance, continues to move westward through the eastern Caribbean at a fairly fast pace.

After bringing heavy showers and thunderstorms to the Lesser Antilles Friday, the storm has shifted east of the Islands.

The storm has maintained some intensity through the overnight hours as the shear dropped off a bit.

According to Meteorologist Andy Mussoline, "Strong wind shear, an inhibitor of tropical development, will limit the potential for rapid strengthening over the next day or so. However, the wind shear is expected to weaken throughout the course of the weekend, where the opportunity for further strengthening is possible."

Tropical Storm Ernesto will travel on a nearly due west path through this weekend, taking it through the Caribbean Sea.

Ernesto is expected to strengthen a bit while bringing some heavier rain bands this weekend across the northern Caribbean Islands.

By the first part of next week, the system could have direct impacts anywhere in the vicinity from Honduras to Belize to the western tip of Cuba.

Looking at impacts to the United States, the system, potentially a tropical storm or greater by then, could move into southern parts of the Gulf of Mexico during the latter part of next week.

Meanwhile, two potent tropical systems (Saola and Damrey) were aiming for China before the end of the week.

Stay tuned to the AccuWeather.com Hurricane Center for more updates.

Expert Videos on the Tropical Storm Ernesto

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