TS Florence forms as Ernesto rolls towards Jamaica

(CNS): The sixth tropical storm of the 2012 Atlantic hurricane season formed on Friday night in the far eastern Atlantic the national hurricane centre in Miami reported. The storm posed no threat to Cayman and on Saturday morning was located about 415 miles from the southernmost Cape Verde Islands. Meanwhile, Ernesto was weakening and heading towards Jamaica as the country celebrated its 50th anniversary of independence. Forecasters said the storm should pass south of Jamaica Sunday evening and the move over the northwestern Caribbean Sea and south of the Cayman Islands when it may become a hurricane.

Local hurricane officials are meeting on Sunday and will make an announcement about the possible closure of government services on Monday as Cayman remains under a storm alert.

Ernesto is travelling at near 18 mph with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph with higher gusts. No significant change in strength is expected today but some intensification is possible on Sunday. Ernesto is forecast to become a hurricane in the northwestern Caribbean in a day or two. Tropical storm force winds currently extend outward up to 105 miles mainly to the north and east of the centre.

Check back to CNS over the weekend for announcements regarding the storm.