Tropical Storm Ernesto moved away from Bermuda on Saturday evening. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Ernesto was located at latitude 33.9°N and longitude 63.3°W which put the center about 140miles (220 km) northeast of Bermuda. Ernesto was moving toward the north-northeast at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 70 m.p.h. (110 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 85 m.p.h. (135 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 978 mb.
A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for Bermuda.
Former Hurricane Ernesto weakened to a tropical storm on Saturday evening. Drier air wrapped all of the way around Ernesto’s circulation. The drier air caused many of the remaining thunderstorms in Tropical Storm Ernesto to dissipate. Thunderstorms were still occurring in the northern portion of the former eyewall. The remnant of former Hurricane Ernesto’s large eye was also visible on satellite imagery. The bands revolving around the center of Ernesto’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.
The circulation around Tropical Storm Ernesto was large. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 230 miles (370 km) from the center of Ernesto’s circulation.
Tropical Storm Ernesto will move through an environment that will be somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Ernesto will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C. It will move under the southern portion of an upper level trough off the east coast of the U.S. The upper level trough will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Ernesto’s circulation. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the wind shear will be less on Sunday. The wind shear and the drier air In Ernesto’s circulation will inhibit intensification. However, Tropical Storm Ernesto could strengthen a little during the next 24 hours even with the vertical wind shear and drier air.
Tropical Storm Ernesto will move around the western side of a subtropical high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Ernesto toward the north-northeast during the next 24 hours. An upper level trough over the Great Lakes will steer Ernesto toward the northeast more quickly on Monday. Tropical Storm Ernesto could approach southeastern Newfoundland on Monday night.