Ernesto Spotted by Satellite

This visible image of Tropical Storm Ernesto was captured by NOAA's GOES-13 satellite on August 6 at 11:45 a.m. EDT. Ernesto was located south of central Cuba at that time. (Image credit: NASA GOES Project)

Tropical Storm Ernesto is churning its way across the Caribbean, with satellites and hurricane hunter aircraft keeping tabs on the storm and its strength.

Hurricane hunters flew into Ernesto this morning (Aug. 6) and found deep convection (rising air that forms the thunderstorms that make up a tropical cyclone), indicating that the storm was strengthening. NASA satellite measurements also indicate a strengthening storm.

Currently, the tropical storm has maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 kph). To become a hurricane, as it possibly could later tonight, the storm's winds will have to hit at least 74 mph (119 kph).

A tropical storm warning — meaning tropical storm conditions are expected in the area within 36 hours — has been issued for the coast of Honduras from the border with Nicaragua westward, according to the latest update from the U.S. National Hurricane Center. A hurricane watch has been issued for the entire coast of Belize and a hurricane warning for Chetumal to Punta Allen on the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula.

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