Hurricane Ernesto sped to southeastern Newfoundland on Monday afternoon.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Hurricane Ernesto was located at latitude 43.6°N and longitude 56.1°W which put the center about 250 miles (400 km) southwest of Cape Race, Newfoundland.  Ernesto was moving toward the northeast at 26 m.p.h. (43 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 105 m.p.h. (165 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 968 mb.

Hurricane Ernesto strengthened as it sped over the Gulf Stream toward southeastern Newfoundland on Monday afternoon.  A small circular eye was at the center of Ernesto’s circulation.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Ernesto’s circulation.  Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the east of the hurricane.

The circulation around Hurricane Ernesto was still exhibiting the characteristics of a tropical cyclone.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 45 miles (75 km) in the eastern side of Ernesto’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 220 miles (350 km) from the center of Hurricane Ernesto.

Hurricane Ernesto will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification of a tropical cyclone during the next 24 hours.  Ernesto will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 17°C.  It will move under the eastern portion of an upper level trough over the northeastern U.S.  The upper level trough will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Ernesto’s circulation.  Those winds will cause strong vertical wind shear.  The colder water and strong wind shear will cause Hurricane Ernesto to weaken during the next 24 hours.  The colder water and vertical wind shear will also cause Hurricane Ernesto to make a transition to an extratropical cyclone.

The upper level trough over the northeastern U.S. will steer Hurricane Ernesto toward the east- northeast during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated path, Ernesto will pass far to the south of pass near southeastern Newfoundland on Monday night.  Ernesto will move south of Greenland on Tuesday.

The circulation around the northern side of Hurricane Ernesto could bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to southeastern Newfoundland.