Watches Issued In Caribbean For Future Ernesto

Tropical Storm Bonnie is now beginning a second life in the eastern Pacific and is expected to become a hurricane south of Mexico.

Bonnie is strengthening as it moves westward at around 15 mph and away from Nicaragua and Costa Rica. The storm formed on Friday morning from a tropical disturbance the National Hurricane Center has been tracking for just over a week as it moved from the central Atlantic to the Caribbean.

Heavy rain is the biggest threat for Central America as Bonnie continues westward. It may become a hurricane by early next week well south of Mexico, but those winds should remain offshore.

Flooding rainfall will be a danger in Nicaragua and Costa Rica no matter how much this system intensifies. Rainfall totals of 4 to 8 inches are expected, but localized amounts could be near 1 foot.

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