by Chris Davis
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico--Tropical Storm Ernesto continues its westward path, away from the Magnolia State and the northern Gulf of Mexico.

As it churns toward the Yucatan Peninsula, it is expected to weaken.

"It should make landfall late Tuesday, perhaps into the Tuesday night time frame over Belize and the Yucatan Peninsula and after that move westward into the far reaches of the southwestern Gulf," said John Cangialosi, a hurrican specialist with the National Hurricane Center.

"It will likely weaken as it moves over land and then moves back over water it will have an opportunity to strengthen, but we don't think it will reach hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico."

The latest predictions lessen fears about the storm affecting the mainland U.S., but may be bad news for those hoping for a shot of tropical moisture to quell the scorching temperatures and drought in the nation's mid-section.