JUST IN: Tropical Storm Ernesto forms, will reach near Jamaica Monday

The National Hurricane Centre (NHC) has upgraded Tropical Depression #5 to Tropical Storm Ernesto late this afternoon.

The storm’s maximum sustained winds are about 50 mph and gradual strengthening is forecast, as it moves across the Windward islands into the Caribbean.

Tropical storm warnings are in effect for Barbados, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dominica, St. Lucia, Martinique, and Guadeloupe.

Gusty winds and several inches of rain are possible as Ernesto sweeps over these islands.

The storm is currently positioned 295 miles east of the windward islands and is moving west at 22 mph.

The NHC said it is possible that Ernesto could become a hurricane sometime this weekend or early next week.

Forecasters expect it to slowly strengthen as it moves westward over the next few days, potentially reaching hurricane strength by Monday, when it would be near Jamaica and southeastern Cuba on its current predicted path.

August and September are historically the most active months for tropical storms and hurricanes.

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