ROSEAU, Dominica (AP) – Tropical Storm Ernesto churned over open waters early Saturday on a path toward Jamaica and Mexico after dumping heavy rain on islands in the eastern Caribbean.
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Tropical Storm Ernesto was tracked Friday in the Atlantic Ocean.
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The U.S. National Hurricane Center said Ernesto was expected to approach Jamaica on Sunday and strengthen into a hurricane on Monday on a route that would take it to Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula by mid-week.
On Friday, Dominica closed its international airport for a second day, while St. Lucia ordered businesses to close for half the day as Ernesto swept through the area. A ferry that travels to Guadeloupe, Dominica, Martinique and St. Lucia also temporarily suspended service.
No damage or flooding was reported on islands affected by the storm. Gusts of up to 50 mph (85 kph) were reported in some areas.
The hurricane center said Ernesto was about 795 miles (1,280 kilometers) east-southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, late Friday and was moving westward at 18 mph (30 kph).
Also, forecasters say a tropical depression has formed in the far eastern Atlantic Ocean.
The National Hurricane Center reported late Friday that the storm was 240 miles (386 kilometers) west-southwest of the southernmost Cape Verde Islands and had maximum sustained winds of 35 mph (56 kph), with higher gusts. It was moving west-northwest at 16 mph (26 kph).
It is expected to continue on its current path, with some strengthening expected over the next couple days. There are no coastal warnings or watches in effect.
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