Tropical Storm Ernesto on the move in Atlantic

MIAMI (AP) - Forecasters say Tropical Storm Ernesto is speeding toward a chain of small, popular vacation islands in the Caribbean Sea.

The National Hurricane Center in Miami said Thursday that Ernesto formed in the Atlantic Ocean and is headed west toward the Caribbean. Tropical storm watches are in effect for the islands of Barbados, Dominica and St. Lucia.

The storm's maximum sustained winds are at 50 mph and the storm is moving to the west at 20 mph (32 kph).

Forecasters say the storm is expected to strengthen. Its general track takes it toward Jamaica, though forecasters warn that the path of a tropical system can be unpredictable.