Via releases:

Tropical Storm Ernesto has gained strength and officially became a hurricane, causing significant damage as it passed over Puerto Rico. The storm is bringing heavy rainfall, leaving nearly half of the island without power and knocking out several cell phone towers. As Ernesto continues its journey northwest over open waters, forecasters are closely monitoring its path, which could eventually bring it near the Maritimes.

While it’s too early to predict the exact track, forecasters are concerned that Ernesto might brush by the Nova Scotia coastline, potentially impacting P.E.I. with high winds and heavy rains. The Canadian Hurricane Centre’s current forecast places Ernesto south of Nova Scotia late Sunday evening, with any significant impact likely to hit on Monday.

As Ernesto approaches the cooler waters of Canada’s east coast, it’s expected to weaken below hurricane strength. However, it could still be a powerful storm if it reaches the Maritimes. While it’s not yet time to sound the alarms, it would be wise to prepare for the possibility of strong winds and heavy rain early next week.