Tropical Storm Ernesto gaining strength as it marches north to Nova Scotia

CITynews halifax / By Dan Ahlstrand

Tropical Storm Ernesto passed by Puerto Rico Tuesday night as it continues to gain strength, churning away in the Atlantic Ocean.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, as of 5:00 Wednesday morning, the storm was still classified as a tropical storm with sustained winds of about 112 km/h — less than 5 km/h shy of officially becoming a hurricane.

The 5^th named storm of the season moved north of the capital, San Juan, after skirting Puerto Rico and passing over the Virgin Islands, but not before dumping 200 to 250 mm of rain on the islands.

The track of the storm has it moving north towards Bermuda and gaining strength as it goes.

As for Halifax, the Canadian Hurricane Centre said Tuesday that they are charting the progress of tropical storm Ernesto. Impacts in Eastern Canada or adjacent waters, if any, would not occur until next week.