Wikipedia

Draft:Tropical Storm Ernesto (2024)

Tropical Storm Ernesto
Ernesto shortly after formation on August 12
Meteorological history
FormedAugust 12, 2024
DissipatedCurrently active
Tropical storm
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS)
Highest winds50 mph (85 km/h)
Lowest pressure1003 mbar (hPa); 29.62 inHg
Overall effects
FatalitiesNone
DamageUnknown
Areas affectedLeeward Islands, Greater Antilles
Part of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season

Tropical Storm Ernesto is a currently active tropical storm threatening the Leeward Islands and Greater Antilles and is poised for a landfall in Puerto Rico. The fifth named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, Ernesto developed from low pressure area located by the NHC southwest of Cape Verde.

Meteorological history

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Map plotting the storm's track and intensity, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale
Map key
Saffir–Simpson scale
  Tropical depression (≤38 mph, ≤62 km/h)
  Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
  Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
  Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
  Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
  Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
  Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
  Unknown
Storm type
  Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression

On August 8, the NHC noted that an area of low pressure could form in the central or tropical Atlantic.[1] Later that day, they began tracking a tropical wave southwest of Cabo Verde.[2] Shower activity associated with the wave began increasing two days later,[3] later showing signs of organization on August 11.[4] As a result, later that day, the disturbance developed into a low-pressure area.[5] As the system was expected to impact the Leeward Islands, it was designated Potential Tropical Cyclone Five soon after.[6] The next day, the system organized enough to become a tropical storm, being named Ernesto.[7]

Preparations

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A tropical storm warning was issued in preparation for Ernesto in both the British Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.[8] One was also issued in Saint Kitts and Nevis, Montserrat, Antigua and Barbuda, Anguilla, the French West Indies (apart from Martinique), Sint Maarten, and United States Virgin Islands.[9]

Leeward Islands

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Orange alerts were issued for the French territories of Saint Martin and Saint Barthelemy. The offices of France Travail closed on August 13 with remaining teams mobilized via telephone.[10] In Sint Maarten, the Dutch portion of Saint Martin, Princess Juliana International Airport closed at 10 a.m. on August 13 and reopened the following day.[11] Schools in the territory were closed. Prime Minister Luc Mercelina ordered political parties and businesses to remove billboards and other apparatus from public roads.[12] The VC Bird International Airport in Antigua closed on the night of August 12 and reopened the following afternoon.[13] The island’s police commissioner held an emergency meeting to plan the police force’s responsibilities during the storm.[14]

Impact

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Leeward Islands

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A gust of 56 miles per hour (90 km/h) was recorded in Saint Barthélemy and 50 miles per hour (80 km/h) in Saint Martin.[15]

Power outages occured in Saint John, U.S. Virgin Islands and Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. All schools were closed prior to the storms arrival.[16]

References

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  1. ^ Bucci, Lisa (August 8, 2024). Atlantic 7-Day Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  2. ^ Zelinsky, D. (August 8, 2024). Atlantic 7-Day Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  3. ^ Beven, Jack (August 10, 2024). Atlantic 7-Day Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  4. ^ Papin, Philippe (August 11, 2024). Atlantic 7-Day Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
  5. ^ Cangialosi, John (August 11, 2024). Atlantic 7-Day Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
  6. ^ Potential Tropical Cyclone Five Discussion Number 1 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
  7. ^ Tropical Storm Ernesto Discussion Number 5 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved August 12, 2024.
  8. ^ Gilbert, Mary (2024-08-12). "Tropical Storm Ernesto is headed for Puerto Rico. Here's where it could go next". CNN. Retrieved 2024-08-13.
  9. ^ "Tropical Storm ERNESTO". www.nhc.noaa.gov. Retrieved 2024-08-13.
  10. ^ "Tempête Ernesto : Saint-Martin a été placée en vigilance orange". Soualiga Post (in French). August 12, 2024. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  11. ^ "Princess Juliana International Airport to close due to storm". Loop Carribbean News. August 12, 2024. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  12. ^ "Schools closed in Sint Maarten due to approaching weather system". Loop News Carribbean. August 12, 2024. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  13. ^ "VC Bird International Airport closes tonight due to the storm". Loop News Caribbean. August 12, 2024. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  14. ^ "Police hold emergency meeting ahead of pending storm". The Antigua Observer. August 12, 2024. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  15. ^ "Tropical Storm blows into Caribbean with target set on Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico". Orlando Sentinel. 2024-08-13. Retrieved 2024-08-13.
  16. ^ "Tropical Storm Ernesto drenches northeast Caribbean and takes aim at Puerto Rico". AP News. 2024-08-13. Retrieved 2024-08-13.
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