ORLANDO, Fla. – Potential Tropical Cyclone Five has organized into Tropical Storm Ernesto.
Ernesto is expected to bring tropical storm conditions to parts of the northeast Caribbean islands including Puerto Rico through the middle of the week.
The storm is expected to strengthen into a hurricane as it turns north, possibly impacting Bermuda. Later on its life, the Canadian Maritimes could feel the effects.
While no direct impacts are expected for the Sunshine State, rough surf and dangerous rip currents can be expected over the weekend.
Last year, Hurricane Lee caused dangerous beach conditions along the Florida coast even though the storm was passing hundreds of miles to the east.
Typically, the fifth named storm of the season forms around Aug. 22, with the third hurricane of the season developing around Sept. 7th.
Last week, NOAA doubled down on their extremely active pre-season forecast, only slightly changing the number of named storms.
The agency is expecting 17-24 named storms, with 8-13 becoming hurricanes and 4-7 becoming major.
To date, there have been five named storms, two of them becoming hurricanes and one becoming major.
Climatologically speaking, more than 85% of tropical activity occurs from the middle of August through the season’s end.
There is nothing brewing behind Ernesto at this time.
Hurricane season runs through November.
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