BASSETERRE, St. Kitts -- AS Tropical Storm Ernesto forms in the Atlantic Ocean, the Federation remains under a Tropical Storm Warning as it heads towards the region.
In its evening update, the National Hurricane Center reported that Ernesto is moving westward at 28 mph, with a shift to a west-northwest trajectory expected in the coming days. The storm's forward speed may decrease slightly.
Given its rapid movement, Ernesto is anticipated to impact the Leeward Islands late tonight or early Tuesday. It may approach or pass near the U.S. and British Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico by Tuesday evening, the National Hurricane Center said.
The storm is forecast to turn northward over the western Atlantic. Currently, Ernesto has maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 km/h) with higher gusts. Gradual strengthening is expected over the next few days.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) urges residents to complete all hurricane preparedness checks and be ready for potential impacts.
This is the fifth named storm of what is anticipated to be an active hurricane season. NOAA's outlook predicts 17-25 named storms for the season, with 8-13 potentially becoming hurricanes and 4-7 possibly reaching major hurricane status.
