Hurricane Ernesto poses major threat to Bermuda
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Satellite image showing the swirl of clouds associated with Hurricane Ernesto. Photo: NOAA
Hurricane Ernesto is steadily intensifying as it moves northward toward Bermuda, where it could produce waves as high as 80 feet — large enough to damage cruise and container ships.
Threat level: This storm is forecast to slam into the British territory and tourism destination with Category 2 or 3 winds that would continue for a long duration late Friday through evening.
- This is because the upper-level winds steering the storm are forecast to slacken as Ernesto nears Bermuda, causing the storm's forward motion to slow.
- Tropical storm force winds could batter Bermuda for at least 24 hours, while hurricane-force winds of 75mph or greater howl for many hours as well, during multiple high tide cycles.
Hurricane warnings are in effect for Bermuda, and the storm is expected to be at a strong Category 2 intensity at the time of its closest pass to the island.
- Hurricane Ernesto is forecast to peak at near Category 3 intensity on Thursday and Friday.
The big picture: The island is a popular vacation spot and cruise ship destination from the U.S. East Coast.
- According to meteorologist Michael Lowry, Bermuda was last struck by a Category 2 or stronger hurricane four years ago. That storm, Hurricane Paulette, cut power to the entire island but did not cause major damage.
- Hurricane Ernesto stands out in Bermuda's hurricane history for hitting in mid-August, since most of the islands's past storms have come in September and October, Lowry reported.
The intrigue: While Ernesto will miss hitting the U.S. directly, it will spread high surf and create potentially deadly rip currents to beaches from the Carolinas to New England.
