NHC launches alert as potential hurricane system approaches Cayman Islands and Cuba

The National Hurricane Center in Miami (NHC) sent, in its morning cyclone warning this Monday, an alert to the Cayman Islands and Cuba due to the proximity of a possible hurricane this week.

According to today's advisory, at 4 a.m., the disturbance was near latitude 14.2 north, longitude 76.9 west.

“The system is moving north near 7 mph (11 km/h), and a more northwestward motion is expected today. It is forecast to continue moving in that direction over the next few days,” the NHC said.

They also added that, according to the forecast trajectory, the system is expected to move near Jamaica late today and to be near or over the Caymans from late Tuesday to Wednesday, and then move towards western Cuba.

“Maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph (55 km/h) with higher gusts. The disturbance is expected to become a tropical storm today,” they added.

NHC specialists foresee additional strengthening, so the system could gain intensity close to a hurricane when it passes near the Cayman Islands, in the northwest of the Caribbean.

Potential Tropical Cyclone #Eighteen Advisory 3A: System Expected to Become a Tropical Depression Soon. Forecast to Strengthen as it Moves Across the Western Caribbean. https://t.co/tW4KeGe9uJ

— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) November 4, 2024

Among the dangers that this phenomenon brings, they warn of heavy rains that will affect areas of the Western Caribbean and parts of Cuba until mid-week.

“Total rainfall between 3 and 6 inches, locally up to 9 inches are expected. Flooding could occur in parts of Jamaica and Cuba, with possible landslides,” the NHC said. “Heavy rain will spread northward into Florida and adjacent areas of the southeastern United States during the middle and end of the week,” they warned.

According to the Cuban Institute of Meteorology (INSMET) on the island, cloudy weather will predominate in the eastern region, with showers and rains that may be heavy in areas of the northern coast and mountainous locations.

“In the center it will dawn partly cloudy and from the end of the morning it will be cloudy with some showers and rain. In the west there will be little cloudiness, with partly cloudy skies in the afternoon and cloudy in some locations with isolated rains,” they noted.

The Cuban Civil Defense declared the information phase for the provinces from Camagüey to Pinar del Río due to the effects that may result from the approaching phenomenon.