Hurricane Ernesto is forecast to make a direct impact to Bermuda later tomorrow into Saturday where authorities there have issued a Hurricane Warning. While the storm will head well off the U.S. East Coast, there will still be a high risk of dangerous rip currents along all U.S. East Coast beaches this weekend.
As of the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center, Hurricane Ernesto was located about 495 miles south-southwest of Bermuda; it had maximum sustained winds of 85 mph and was moving to the north at 13 mph. Ernesto’s minimum central pressure is 972 mb or 28.71″.
“Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion,” the National Hurricane Center urged people on Bermuda today.
While Ernesto is moving toward the north near 13 mph now and this general motion is expected to continue today, a slower northeastward or north-northeastward motion on Friday and Saturday is forecast. On the forecast track, the center of Ernesto is expected to pass near or over Bermuda on Saturday. According to the National Hurricane Center, strengthening is forecast during the next day or so, and Ernesto could be near major hurricane strength by Friday. Ernesto is forecast to be a large hurricane near Bermuda on Saturday.
Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 60 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 265 miles. The storm is expected to grow in size as it moves over Bermuda.
Hurricane force wind conditions are expected on Bermuda Saturday, with tropical storm conditions likely beginning Friday afternoon.
A dangerous storm surge is expected to produce significant coastal flooding on Bermuda in areas of onshore winds. Near the coast, the surge will be accompanied by large and destructive waves.
Ernesto is expected to produce total rain accumulations of 6-12″ in Bermuda with isolated maximum amounts up to 15″. This rainfall may result in considerable life-threatening
flash flooding.
“Even though Ernesto is forecast to remain well offshore the U.S. East Coast, swells generated by the storm are expected to reach the area during the next few days, including over the weekend,” the National Hurricane Center warned, adding “Beach goers should be aware of a significant risk of life-threatening surf and rip currents, and stay out of the water if advised by lifeguards. Surf and rip currents are also possible on the Dominican Republic, the Turks and Caicos, the Bahamas, and Bermuda during the next few days.”
