The National Hurricane Center has begun issuing warnings for Potential Tropical Cyclone No. 5 (PTC 5), which is located nearly 1,000 miles east of the Lesser Antilles. The term “potential tropical cyclone” is used when a disturbance has not yet acquired tropical characteristics, but is likely to do so and make landfall within 48 hours. This allows the National Hurricane Center to issue tropical warnings.
PTC Five will continue to move westward and intensify over the coming days. The system will likely become a tropical storm on Monday. Once this happens, it will take on the name Ernesto.
By mid-week, the storm could make landfall somewhere in the Leeward Islands chain and possibly Puerto Rico as it strengthens to near hurricane strength. Most available data points to a scenario of a curve back toward Bermuda after that. Therefore, aside from rough surf and an increased risk of rip currents on the East Coast, impacts to the U.S. are unlikely. Impacts to the Gulf Coast are even less likely. No impacts are currently expected in Louisiana.
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