The risk posed by Hurricane Ernesto prompted the issuance of a Hurricane Watch for Bermuda.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Hurricane Ernesto was located at latitude 23.0°N and longitude 68.9°W which put the center about 690 miles (1110 km) south-southwest of Bermuda.  Ernesto was moving toward the north-northwest at 16 m.p.h. (26 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 95 m.p.h. (150 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 982 mb.

A Hurricane Watch was in effect for Bermuda.

Hurricane Ernesto continued to strengthen gradually on Wednesday evening.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Ernesto’s circulation.  A circular eye appeared intermittently on satellite images.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Other bands of showers and thunderstorms revolved around the center of Hurricane Ernesto.  Storms near the center of Ernesto generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away the hurricane.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

Winds to hurricane force extended out 45 miles (75 km) in the eastern side of Hurricane Ernesto.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 175 miles (280 km) from the center of Ernesto’s circulation.

Hurricane Ernesto will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Ernesto will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Hurricane Ernesto will intensify during the next 24 hours.

Hurricane 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 during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Hurricane Ernesto will approach Bermuda on Friday night.