Tropical Storm Ernesto could reach hurricane strength by Thursday, NHC says

Tropical Storm Ernesto could reach hurricane strength by Thursday, NHC says

Tropical Storm Ernesto is expected to gradually strengthen in the next few days and could reach hurricane strength by Thursday over the waters north of the Greater Antilles, the U.S. National Hurricane Centre (NHC) said on Tuesday.

The tropical storm was about 10 miles (15 km) southeast of Guadeloupe, with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65kmh).

Ernesto is expected to move across portions of the Leeward Islands on Tuesday morning and over the U.S. and British Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico by Tuesday evening, the Miami-based forecaster said in its latest advisory.