 With very warm water temperatures and a favorable upper-level environment, one forecast remarked the possibility of Ernesto strengthening greatly over the Straits of Florida and eastern Gulf of Mexico to hit western Florida as a major hurricane.Ernesto remained over land as a minimal tropical storm for about 18 hours before reaching the Straits of Florida.Convection gradually increased over the warm waters, though Ernesto failed to strengthen significantly due to its disrupted inner core.