Ernesto becomes Category 1 hurricane north of Puerto Rico, could reach major hurricane status

Ernesto becomes a hurricane, tracking toward Bermuda

FOX 13 meteorologist Jim Weber has the latest on Hurricane Ernesto.

TAMPA, Fla. - Hurricane Ernesto could reach major hurricane status as a Category 3 storm as it spins through the Atlantic, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Ernesto became a hurricane earlier on Wednesday, reaching Category 1 status with winds up to 80 mph as of 11 p.m.

Flash flooding and mudslides continued over the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Culebra, and Vieques through Wednesday night.

Hurricane conditions are possible for Bermuda by Saturday, according to the NHC.

"Bermuda's a small island, and it's out in the middle of the Atlantic, so it's very hard to get a direct hit," FOX 13 meteorologist Dave Osterberg said Wednesday morning. "So, we're going to watch it very closely to see how the cone is narrowing."

Osterberg said in the U.S., the major impacts will be high waves, leading to some dangerous rip currents off the east coast. It will also result in some drier air in Florida.