Potential Tropical Cyclone 5 is now Tropical Storm Ernesto

Potential Tropical Cyclone 5 has developed into Tropical storm Ernesto, but the Barbados
Meteorological Services (BMS) says its poses no direct threat to the island.

In its final statement on the system, the BMS said Ernesto is expected to pass north of Barbados sometime tonight August 12 into early tomorrow morning, Tuesday, August 13.

During this time occasional heavy to intense showers may generate rainfall accumulations of up to 2 inches with isolated higher amounts and the possibility of flash flooding in some areas. Occasional gusts are likely to accompany showers, consequently, sea swells are forecast to become agitated particularly along the southern and western coastlines of Barbados, with swells ranging from 1.5m to 2.5m.

At 5 p.m. Monday, Ernesto was located near 16.0 North, 57.5 West or 387 km northeast of Barbados. The system is moving towards the west- northwest at 28mph (44km/h) with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 1009mb.

On its current track, the system is forecast to move across the Leeward Islands tonight into tomorrow.