KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) - Forecasters say Tropical Storm Ernesto is churning over the open waters of the Caribbean and is expected to pass south of Jamaica on Sunday afternoon.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center said Ernesto was centered at 2 a.m. EDT Sunday about 290 miles (470 kilometers) southeast of Kingston, Jamaica. Forecasters say the storm has maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 kph) and Ernesto is moving westward at 22 mph (35 kph).
The Miami-based forecasting center says little change in strength is expected throughout Sunday though slow strengthening is expected Monday as Ernesto treks across the Caribbean.
Forecasters say Ernesto could still grow into a hurricane in coming days as it continues along a course forecast to take it over the coastal resorts of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula by Wednesday.