Hurricane Ernesto 2024 Leaves Newfoundland Coast, Moves Out to Sea; Francine Next on Atlantic Storm Watch List

Hurricane Ernesto 2024 Heads Out to Sea; What Storm is Next?

As residents of Newfoundland breathe a sigh of relief, Hurricane Ernesto is making its exit from the coastline and moving steadily into the vastness of the open Atlantic Ocean. This morning, Ernesto, which is classified as a Category 1 hurricane, was clocking in at 75 mph winds as it sped northeast at a remarkable pace of 36 mph.

Current Status of Hurricane Ernesto

As of 5 a.m. CDT today, the storm was located approximately 150 miles east-northeast of Cape Race, Newfoundland. The National Hurricane Center has indicated that Ernesto is expected to lose its tropical characteristics later today, potentially dissipating into a post-tropical storm by Wednesday.

While there are currently no active watches or warnings, the hurricane center has alerted coastal communities along the northeastern U.S. about the continuing threat of dangerous rip currents generated by the storm’s waves. Tragically, reports indicate that Ernesto’s rip currents have resulted in at least three fatalities in the U.S. alone.

Impact on Land

Hurricane Ernesto made landfall on Bermuda on August 17, initially coming in as a Category 1 hurricane with winds reaching 85 mph. The storm also lightly brushed past Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, causing significant power outages and flash flooding in those areas.

What’s Next for the Atlantic?

With the climatological peak of the Atlantic hurricane season approaching on September 10, weather watchers are keeping an eye on the ocean. However, as of now, the tropical Atlantic remains surprisingly quiet. The National Hurricane Center has not identified any other areas in the ocean to monitor for potential storm development.

Despite the current calm, forecasts indicate an active hurricane season ahead. The NOAA has projected a total of 🌀 17 to 24 named storms, comprising of 8 to 13 hurricanes and 4 to 7 major hurricanes (Category 3 or stronger) by the end of the official season on November 30.

What’s Coming Up?

Currently, the next name on the list for upcoming storms is Francine. Meteorologists and residents alike are bracing for what remains of this hurricane season, which has already given rise to multiple storms making landfall across various regions.