Hurricane Warning Issued for Cayman Islands as Tropical Depression Intensifies
Alert Level Raised for Parts of Cuba and Jamaica Amid Rising Storm Threat
The National Hurricane Center has issued a hurricane warning for the Cayman Islands and increased alerts for parts of Cuba and Jamaica as a strengthening tropical system in the Caribbean developed into a tropical depression early Monday. Meteorologists forecast that this weather system could intensify into a tropical storm by the end of the day and potentially reach hurricane strength by Wednesday. If named, the storm will be called Hurricane Rafael.
Storm Path and Strength Projections
In an advisory issued Monday morning, the Hurricane Center reported that the system is expected to approach the northwestern coast of Cuba around the time it reaches hurricane intensity.
“The system is anticipated to pass near Jamaica this evening, approach the Cayman Islands by Tuesday, and reach Cuba on Wednesday,” the forecast stated. “It could be near or at hurricane intensity as it moves over the Cayman Islands and approaches Cuba.”
As of 10 a.m. EST Monday, the tropical depression was located about 195 miles south of Kingston, Jamaica, and approximately 400 miles southeast of Grand Cayman. Moving northward at 9 mph, the system had maximum sustained winds of 35 mph. It will be classified as a tropical storm once sustained winds reach 39 mph, and hurricane status requires sustained winds of 74 mph.
Heavy Rainfall and Potential Hazards
The hurricane center projects that the heaviest rainfall will affect Jamaica and parts of Cuba through mid-week. The Cayman Islands should prepare for hurricane-force conditions by Tuesday afternoon, with western Cuba, including the Isle of Youth, potentially experiencing hurricane conditions by Wednesday.
Rainfall totals are expected to range between 3 and 6 inches, with isolated areas receiving up to 9 inches, posing risks of significant flooding and potential mudslides in parts of Jamaica and Cuba. Tropical storm conditions are expected to reach Jamaica by Monday night.
U.S. Gulf Coast on Alert
The Hurricane Center also reports that heavy rainfall associated with the storm will likely extend northward into Florida and nearby areas in the southeastern United States later in the week.
As this system intensifies, authorities across the Caribbean and Gulf Coast are closely monitoring its trajectory, and residents are encouraged to stay updated and take necessary precautions.