Ernesto has become slightly stronger over the eastern Caribbean Sea. A tropical storm warning has been issued to the Haiti-Dominican Republic border westward to the southwestern tip of Haiti with a tropical storm watch in effect for Jamaica.

The Cayman Islands and Cuba should monitor the progress of Tropical Storm Ernesto according to the National Hurricane Center.

Ernesto is moving toward the west-northwest near 16 mph and this motion is expected to continue during the next 24 hours. On this track the center of Tropical Storm Ernesto will be passing near the southern coast of Hispaniola on Saturday.

Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 45 mph and additional strengthening is forecast during the next 24 hours. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 90 miles mainly to the northeast from the center.

Rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches are expected.