Tropical Storm Ernesto churns toward Jamaica

[dipsydoodle]

Source: Associated Press

ROSEAU, Dominica (AP) -- Tropical Storm Ernesto churned over open waters early Saturday on a path toward Jamaica and Mexico after dumping heavy rain on islands in the eastern Caribbean.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center said Ernesto was expected to approach Jamaica on Sunday and strengthen into a hurricane on Monday on a route that would take it to Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula by mid-week.

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The hurricane center said Ernesto was about 795 miles (1,280 kilometers) east-southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, late Friday and was moving westward at 18 mph (30 kph).

Read more: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/T/TROPICAL_WEATHER?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2012-08-04-00-12-18

[Archae]

1. I hope the rain from this storm goes over the drought-hit states.

Not flooding rains, naturally, but rain they need.

[hobbit709]

2. It's starting to get busy. TD6 is right behind Ernesto

and there's this disturbance

[Baclava]

3. Yucatan

[dixiegrrrrl]

4. Hmmm..AFTER the Yucatan it will be back in the Gulf....

Ok..time to go over the hurricane checklist, fill both cars, make sure we have 90 day supply of meds. etc.
Looks like it is watching time.

[Baclava]

5. It will probably get busted up when it hits land, but you never know about storms in the gulf

The whole month of July was totally quiet in the gulf, it always picks up in August

91L - some sprinkles for FL, not that it's needed - a whole month of pop-up thunderstorms almost every day has my grass the greenest it's been in years

[dixiegrrrrl]

6. We have had much rain since June, after a couple of drought years.

and rain predicted all this week.
Comes in form of thunderstorms, versus "just rain" but does help to drop the temps.
So I am ok if the hurricane season gives our area a pass.

[1monster]

7. I see it brushing by Jamaica and heading for Central American and Mexico, too.

Jamaica will get some weather and rough seas from Earnesto, but unless it makes a sharp turn, I don't see Jamaica in Earnesto's path.