Tropical Storm Ernesto has formed in the Atlantic.

The National Hurricane Centre says Ernesto is expected to move across portions of the Leeward Islands late tonight or Tuesday and near or over the U.S. and British Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico by Tuesday evening.

It is then forecast to turn northward over the western Atlantic.

Maximum sustained winds are currently near 65 km/h and gradual strengthening is expected during the next few days.

Tropical Storm Warnings are in place for a number of Caribbean islands.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for:

• St. Kitts, Nevis, Montserrat, Antigua, Barbuda, and Anguilla
• Guadeloupe
• St. Martin and St. Barthelemy
• Sint Maarten
• British Virgin Islands
• U.S. Virgin Islands
• Puerto Rico
• Vieques

There are currently no watches or warnings in effect for Trinidad and Tobago.

Also, the TTMS says on this current track, this system should not directly impact T&T.