Hurricane Ernesto continues to create dangerous surf on East Coast as it brushes by Atlantic Canada

Hurricane Ernesto is expected to impact parts of Atlantic Canada early this week, with high surf, rip currents and strong winds likely in parts of Newfoundland in the hurricane’s final chapter before heading into the open North Atlantic.Ernesto first became a hurricane last week after swooping by Puerto Rico and then making landfall in Bermuda. Over the weekend, Ernesto brought deadly beach conditions to the U.S. East Coast, including claiming two lives in South Carolina from powerful rip currents. Ernesto continues to have lasting effects up and down the Eastern Seaboard, bringing rough surf and dangerous rip currents. The hurricane is forecast to weaken over the next 24 hours as it moves deeper into the North Atlantic Ocean.HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHERThe National Hurricane Center (NHC) said Ernesto was located about 250 miles southwest of Cape Race, Newfoundland, and was moving to the northeast at 26 mph. Ernesto is expected to make a turn to the northeast and east-northeast with an increase in forward speed over the next couple of days.On that track, Ernesto’s center will pass near southeastern Newfoundland overnight and early Tuesday.2024 ATLANTIC HURRICANE SEASON GUIDE: HERE’S WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THIS YEAR’S STORMSErnesto currently has maximum sustained winds of 90 mph with higher gusts. The NHC said Ernesto strengthened slightly on Monday, but it’s expected to weaken from here on out, likely becoming a post-tropical cyclone by Tuesday.Ernesto will have lasting impacts along the U.S. East Coast early this week. Beachgoers should be aware of the risk of strong rip currents along the Atlantic beaches.The National Weather Service issued High Surf Advisories for coastal Maine and New Hampshire through Monday night. Large breaking waves between 5 and 7 feet will create hazardous surf conditions. As of Monday, no other tropical systems in the Atlantic Basin are being monitored for development. Meanwhile, in the Eastern and Central Pacific, forecasters are tracking Tropical Storm Gilma and three other disturbances.