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MIAMI (AP) ā€” Tropical Storm Ernesto has passed over or near the island of St. Lucia and is moving into the eastern Caribbean sea.

Ernestoā€™s maximum sustained winds Friday are near 45 mph (75 kph) with some strengthening forecast over the next two days.

A tropical storm warning is in effect for Dominica, St. Lucia and Martinique and Guadeloupe.

The storm is centered about 40 miles (65 kilometers) west-southwest of St. Lucia and 25 miles (45 kilometers) west-northwest of St. Vincent. Ernesto is moving west near 24 mph (39 kph).

Ernestoā€™s current forecast track shows it possibly becoming a hurricane next week as it heads toward the Gulf of Mexico.

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