Hurricane Ernesto Tracking - Tropical Storm Ernesto Tracking

At 1100EDT, Tropical Storm Ernesto was downgraded by the NHC to a tropical depression, 80 miles west-southwest of Norfolk, Virginia. It is tracking north at 14mph with maximum sustained winds of 35mph.

Since this site only tracks named storms, this will be the final report for Ernesto.

Tropical Storm Ernesto arrived over North Carolina earlier this morning, and is now tracking north at 15mph with maximum sustained winds of 60mph.

Tropical Storm Ernesto is tracking north-northeast at 17mph with maximum sustained winds that have increased to 70mph. Ernesto's position at 1700EDT was approximately 54 miles from Cape Island, South Carolina, and on it's present track it will most likely make landfall in North Carolina.

The NHC have stated that Ernesto could strengthen further before reaching land, and that it could make landfall as a category 1 hurricane. Landfall could be east of Brunswick or, if it stays more to the east, then southeast of Jacksonville.

Tropical Storm Ernesto is tracking north at 17mph with sustained winds of 60mph, and will be entering South Carolina shortly. The NHC expect no further strengthening of Ernesto prior to landfall. Landfall is expected to be near to the border with North Carolina.

Ernesto regained tropical storm strength at 0200EDT as it moved out over water, having remained a tropical depression during it's journey through Florida. Tropical Storm Ernesto is tracking north at 15mph with sustained winds of 50mph, and is expected to run parallel to the coast and re-enter land in South Carolina as a tropical storm this evening.

Since Ernesto has regained tropical storm status, tracking has re-commenced.

Ernesto remains as a tropical depression over Florida, and is still tracking north at 14mph with sustained winds of 35mph. Tracking will re-commence if, and when, Ernesto regains tropical storm status.

Ernesto has reverted to a tropical depression over Florida, and is tracking north at 10mph with sustained winds of 35mph. Since this site only tracks named storms, tracking will cease for Ernesto until it regains tropical storm status.

Tropical Storm Ernesto entered the Florida Keys in the early hours, and is tracking to the north-northwest at 8mph with maximum sustained winds of 45mph. Current location is in north-eastern mainland Munroe county.

Ernesto is expected to continue tracking in a northerly direction through central Florida, then continue up the coast and re-enter at South Carolina as a tropical storm on Thursday afternoon. It's track then continues through North Carolina and Virginia as a tropical storm during Friday and Saturday.

Still no change for this reporting period, as Tropical Storm Ernesto moves to the northwest at 13mph with maximum sustained winds of 45mph.

Note: These pages will be updated every 6 hours whilst Ernesto continues to threaten land.

Little change for this reporting period as Tropical Storm Ernesto moves to the northwest at 12mph with maximum sustained winds of 45mph.

Note: These pages will be updated every 6 hours whilst Ernesto continues to threaten land.

Tropical Storm Ernesto has passed over Cuba and has once again moved out into open water where it can be expected to re-intensify. Ernesto is moving northwest at 12mph with maximum sustained winds at 45mph.

The NHC now have Ernesto remaining as a tropical storm until it comes ashore in South Carolina. Meanwhile, it is expected to enter the keys this evening then sweep up the eastern coast of Florida into Wednesday evening as a 65mph tropical storm.

Tropical Storm Ernesto has almost passed over Cuba. Ernesto is moving northwest at 13mph with maximum sustained winds still at 40mph.

The NHC have cooled their 3 day forecast somewhat. They now believe that Ernesto will brush the eastern coast of Florida late Tuesday/early Wednesday as a 70mph tropical storm, then head offshore towards South Carolina. They expect it to make landfall there as a category 1 hurricane. Florida could almost be off the hook, especially if Ernesto decides to make a further turn towards the east.

Tropical Storm Ernesto is now just a borderline tropical storm as it passes over Cuba. Ernesto is moving northwest at 12mph with maximum sustained winds of just 40mph, and could briefly revert to being a tropical depression until clearing land.

But don't become complacent. The NHC still expect it to re-intensify back to a hurricane as it starts to move over open water, and Florida can expect to see maximum sustaind winds of around 85mph with stronger gusts.

Tropical Storm Ernesto has been knocked back again as it approaches Cuba. Ernesto is moving northwest at 12mph with sustained winds of 50mph, and is expected to remain as a tropical storm until clearing Cuba sometime early morning on Tuesday. The NHC then expect it to re-intensify back to a hurricane before snaking it's way up Florida from south to north on Wednesday morning. Florida entry and exit points appear to be around Key Largo and south of Jacksonville. Maximum estimated windspeed over Florida is expected to be around 85mph with stronger gusts.

Hurricane Ernesto has had the wind taken out of it's sails as it lashed Haiti. It has been knocked back to a tropical storm with winds of 60mph, and is moving towards the northwest at 8mph. The NHC expect it to re-intensify as it begins to move over open water again.

Hurricane Ernesto is moving towards the northwest at 9mph with winds of 75mph. The NHC track now looks more northerly than previously, which will take it on a track that almost parallels the west Florida coastline, putting the coast on the clean side. This will obviously have more of an impact, and also affect more areas than a straight-across path. Floridians need to take care with this one..

Note: These pages will be updated every 6 hours whilst Ernesto continues to threaten land.

At the 5am NHC advisory, Tropical Storm Ernesto was moving towards the west-northwest at 9mph with winds of 70mph. Four minutes later, an air force reconaissance plane reported winds of 75mph, making Ernesto the first hurricane of the 2006 Hurricane Season.

The 5 day extended NHC  forecast now sees Ernesto turning northeast and making landfall over mid Florida by lunchtime Thursday as a 100kt hurricane.

Note: These pages will be updated every 6 hours whilst Ernesto continues to threaten land.

Tropical Storm Ernesto's track has been updated by the NHC after a hurricane hunter found Ernesto to be somewhat further east-northeast than expected. Intensity was also up on expected and is now set at 60mph. Ernesto is moving towards the west-northwest at 13mph and could be upgraded to a hurricane shortly after passing over Jamaica on Sunday afternoon. The 5 day extended NHC  forecast has Ernesto in the GOM as a Cat3, 105kt hurricane at the end of the period.

Note: These pages will be updated every 6 hours whilst Ernesto continues to threaten land.

Tropical Storm Ernesto is moving towards the west-northwest at 14mph with winds of 50mph. Ernesto is expected to pass over Jamaica on Sunday afternoon then become a hurricane by 8am Monday. The 5 day NHC forecast has Ernesto passing into the Gulf of Mexico by lunchtime Tuesday as an 80kt Cat1 hurricane, then tracking towards New Orleans.

Note: These pages will be updated every 6 hours whilst Ernesto continues to threaten land.

Tropical Storm Ernesto continues to move westwards at 16mph with winds of 45mph. There has been no change to the NHC's prediction which makes Ernesto a hurricane by early Monday.

Dave Foster