Tropical Storm Ernesto has weakened slightly and is expected to begin moving over portions of the Windward Islands.

Ernesto's maximum sustained winds early Friday decreased to 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 30 miles (45 kilometers) southeast of St. Lucia and 35 miles (60 kilometers) east-northeast of St. Vincent. It's moving west near 24 mph (39 kph).

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