Tropical weather update 2024: Ernesto strengthens to a hurricane once again, Gulf remains quiet [Video]

August 18 4 p.m.

Ernesto has strengthened to a hurricane once again with winds of 75 mph and gusts up to 90 mph. Ernesto will stay over the Atlantic Ocean into early next week as it charges north, making a close pass by Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. Strong swells and rip current remain a risk along the eastern seaboard because of Ernesto.

The Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean and deep tropics remain quiet with no new development expected over the next 7 days.

August 18 10 a.m.

Let’s start with the good stuff: The Gulf of Mexico remains quiet, with no expected development over the next 7 days. Even the extended forecast from the National Hurricane Center is not showing anything developing over the Gulf, so my hope is that we can remains clear in our neck of the woods through the end of the month.

Elsewhere, Ernesto has departed Bermuda and is slowly clearing northeast. The eastern seaboard …