Hurricane watch issued as Ernesto approaches Puerto Rico

Tropical Storm Ernesto advanced on Tuesday through the Caribbean toward Puerto Rico, where officials shut down schools and sent workers home as forecasters warned of a possible hurricane. The storm was moving west-northwest toward the US island with maximum sustained winds of 60 miles per hour, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC).

It was expected to pass near or over the US and British Virgin Islands in the evening, before moving to the north and northeast of Puerto Rico later Tuesday and Wednesday. The storm could strengthen into a major hurricane over the next few days, the NHC said.