a satellite image of a hurricane
Source: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the Department of Commerce of the United States.
Brian Cohen·
Weather
··5 min read

Tropical Storm Ernesto Affecting Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands: August 2024 Travel Alert

Next in line to be affected is Bermuda.

Due to the effects of Tropical Storm Ernesto affecting Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands August 2024, you may want to consider delaying your travel — or, at least, keep yourself updated as to the latest information pertaining to the weather — if this region is in your travel plans over the next few days.

Tropical Storm Ernesto Affecting Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands: August 2024 Travel Alert

Maximum sustained winds of Tropical Storm Ernesto — which is currently approximately 35 miles northwest of Saint Thomas and 60 miles east northeast of San Juan and moving northwest at a speed of 17 miles per hour — are at 65 miles per hour, which means that it is currently a strong tropical storm that is just nine miles per hour shy of hurricane status.

a map of a hurricane
Source: National Hurricane Center of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the United States.

The forward movement of this tropical storm could reduce the effects of the impact of the storm, as it will not have as much time to cause even more damage to the affected areas.

If the tracking maps that are followed for this article are correct, as many as five landfalls have technically occurred from Tropical Storm Ernesto — all during today, Tuesday, August 13, 2024: two in Guadeloupe; one in Monserrat; and two in the British Virgin Islands. All of the aforementioned island countries and territories are so small that they did not weaken or slow down Tropical Storm Ernesto.

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for:

  • British Virgin Islands
  • United States Virgin Islands
  • Vieques
  • Culebra

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for:

  • British Virgin Islands
  • United States Virgin Islands
  • Puerto Rico
  • Vieques
  • Culebra

Significant precipitation of up to ten inches is possible in across portions of southeastern Puerto Rico, which is expected to result in considerable urban flooding and flash flooding.

Rough surf and strong rip currents are currently affecting many parts of the Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. Swells will also eventually reach the east coast of the United States — as well as the Dominican Republic, the Turks and Caicos Islands, southeastern Bahamas, and Bermuda. A storm surge of as high as three feet above normal is expected to contribute to the aforementioned significant flooding of portions of the eastern coast of Puerto Rico from San Juan to Guayama — including the islands of Culebra and Vieques; and in the United States Virgin Islands — including Saint Thomas, Saint John, and Saint Croix.

Expect windy conditions to occur over much of Puerto Rico.

After departing from the British Virgin Islands and east of Puerto Rico, Ernesto will continue to strengthen to hurricane status and may reach Category 3 status prior to a possible landfall in Bermuda — which means that Bermuda could become the direct target of a major hurricane as early as during the later hours of the evening on Friday, August 16, 2024.

Flight Waivers, Delays, and Cancellations

If you are traveling to or from Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, expect delays and cancellations of flights. Keep up to date on the latest information pertaining to this tropical weather system which may adversely affect your travel plans. Better yet, postponing or canceling your trip might be a better option — no matter which mode of travel you plan on taking.

See also

If you have a flight scheduled, your flight may be delayed or canceled — and you may be eligible for a waiver of a fee to change your itinerary. If you are driving in any of these areas, watch out for deteriorating weather conditions and traffic problems.

Here are ten airlines which have issued travel alerts as a result of this tropical weather system:

Final Boarding Call

Be sure to contact your airline or transportation provider for the latest information pertaining to your travels — if they are adversely affected — and please: travel safely.

Source: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the Department of Commerce of the United States.

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