Ernesto As of 11:00 a.m. Today

A hurricane watch, which means that hurricane force winds are possible within 36 hours, is in effect for all of the Florida Keys and surrounding waters including Florida Bay. A hurricane watch is also now in effect on the mainland from Chokoloskee Florida to New Smyrna Beach Florida.

At 11:00 a.m. today the center of (currently) Tropical Storm Ernesto was located near latitude 20.3 north, longitude 75.7 west, which is about 445 miles southeast of Key Largo. The storm was moving toward the northwest at about 10 mph. If the storm stays on this track for the next 24 hours, the center will continue to move over eastern Cuba today and then emerge off the northern coast of Cuba later tonight or Tuesday morning. Maximum sustained winds are in the 40 to 50 mph range with higher gusts. The storm may further weaken over land this afternoon, but strengthening as it emerges over water is possible. The minimum central pressure was estimated at 1006 mb or 29.71 inches of mercury.