Ernesto is now a Category One hurricane and is moving northwards towards Bermuda after knocking out power and causing flooding in Puerto Rico (where half of residents are without power, some without water) and the Virgin Islands. The latest from NHC is in their Key Messages regarding Hurricane Ernesto (en Español: Mensajes Claves), hurricane warnings are now posted for Bermuda:
The forecast is for continued strengthening, and for Ernesto to briefly become a Category Three storm before reaching Bermuda in two days as a strong Cat 2. Here is the forecast swath using the TAOS(tm) TC impact model of the NHC forecast:
This could bring significant damage to Bermuda, as the storm looks to slow down as it passes and will be pounding the island for on the order of 36 hours. After Bermuda, by early next week Ernesto should be passing near or over Vinland (Newfoundland) as a mixed post-tropical system, which won’t matter that much in impact, it will still have hurricane force winds and rain but hopefully most of that will remain offshore.
The only impacts the mainland US will see are from waves, so be careful at the Atlantic beaches this week and be alert for rip currents and angry surf. Same applies to The Bahamas and the northern Caribbean.
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Thank you Enki
Do hurricanes, such as Ernesto, ever affect airplane flights? I have family flying across the Atlantic tomorrow.
Good question – yes and no 🙂 … they do cause re-routing. In theory trans Atlantic flights can fly over the top of these storms, but in practice it’s complicated as the outflow patterns at those altitudes can produce significant headwinds (or if you catch it right tail winds). Probably won’t cause cancellations (unless headed to Bermuda of course!), but check with the airline.
Thank you very much. I really appreciate the speedy reply!