Hurricane Ernesto made landfall in Bermuda at about 5:30 Saturday morning as a Category 1 hurricane.

The hurricane hit the small islands with 85mph sustained winds. This is a large and relatively slow moving storm, so Bermuda will feel impacts through most of the day Saturday before Ernesto moves north-northeast.

Ernesto will continue to bring strong winds, dangerous storm surge and significant coastal flooding to the chain of 181 tiny islands that make up Bermuda.

Bermuda could get 6 to 9 inches of rain through Saturday with the strongest winds through the afternoon. But since the storm is so large, tropical storm-strength winds continue into Sunday.

Ernesto is moving toward the north-northeast at around 9 mph. Warm waters will allow the storm to maintain hurricane strengthen over the next few days.

High surf and dangerous rip currents continue this weekend all across the Atlantic Coast on the backside of Ernesto.

The storm will pick up speed toward the NE Sunday – early next week as an East Coast trough builds in, taking Ernesto near Newfoundland Monday night.

After strengthening overnight, Hurricane Ernesto’s intensification has come to a pause this afternoon. The hurricane is still battling dry air and moderate wind shear as it treks north toward Bermuda.

Weather models continue to take this system very close to Bermuda, with the possibility of a landfall not off the table. A hurricane warning remains in effect as tropical storm-force winds have already reached the island.

Coastal flooding and flash flooding remain an added concern. Rain totals in Bermuda between six inches and a foot from this system will be possible. Impacts from Ernesto will likely continue for the island through Saturday night.

Dangerous rip currents and rough surf are anticipated across the U.S. east coast over the weekend. Newfoundland, Canada will need to monitor this hurricane carefully as they could be next to see notable impacts by the beginning of next week.

Thankfully, there are no other named storms or disturbances being monitored by the National Hurricane Center in the Atlantic at this time.