CubaJamaica and the Cayman Islands are on alert for Tropical Depression 18 that formed this Monday in the Atlantic, which is expected to strengthen into a hurricane during the week.
According to the US National Hurricane Center (NHC), the depression is located this morning approximately 310 kilometers south of Kingston, capital of Jamaica, a Caribbean country that is under a tropical storm warning, and 645 kilometers southeast from Grand Cayman.
Today, the system, with sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour, could strengthen and become Tropical Storm Rafael, and on Wednesday a hurricane, when it is expected to cross western Cuba.
Tropical Depression 18 will become a hurricane
The cyclone has prompted a hurricane warning for the Caribbean Cayman Islands, where it is expected to make landfall on Tuesday.
The cyclone has merited a hurricane warning for the Caribbean Cayman Islands, where it is forecast to impact on Tuesday.
The meteorological center, based in Miami (Florida), indicated that the system is moving north at 15 kilometers per hour and that today it could turn toward the northwest, and on the predicted path it will pass near Jamaica tonight.
It is detailed that the greatest risk of this potential cyclone will be its strong winds and rains, which could cause flooding in parts of Jamaica and Cuba.
Tropical Storm Patty, which formed on Saturday morning in the eastern end of the Atlantic basin and did not pose threats to coastal areas, dissipated this Monday, when it was 945 kilometers from the Azores islands, according to the NHC.
According to the report from the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA, in English), the Atlantic hurricane season, which officially began on June 1 and ends on November 30, will have activity “above” the average, with between 8 and 13 hurricanes, of which between 4 and 7 would be of major category.
Since the beginning of this year, ten hurricanes have formed: Beryl, Debby, Ernesto, Francine, Helene, Isaac, Kirk, Lesley, Milton and Oscar, of which Beryl and Milton reached category 5, the maximum on the Saffir intensity scale. -Simpson.
(EFE)
Milei seeks to sanction officials for voting in favor of Cuba at the UN
#Tropical #Depression #threatens #Cuba #Jamaica #Cayman #Islands
**Interview with Dr. Emily Torres, Meteorologist and Hurricane Specialist**
**Editor:** Good afternoon, Dr. Torres. Thank you for joining us to discuss Tropical Depression 18 and its expected development into Hurricane Rafael. What can you tell us about the current status of this system?
**Dr. Torres:** Good afternoon! Tropical Depression 18 is currently located about 310 kilometers south of Kingston, Jamaica, with sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour. It’s expected to strengthen into Tropical Storm Rafael later today and could become a hurricane as it approaches Cuba on Wednesday.
**Editor:** That’s significant. Can you explain what impacts we might expect as Rafael approaches Jamaica and Cuba?
**Dr. Torres:** Certainly. Both Jamaica and Cuba are under tropical storm and hurricane warnings due to the potential for strong winds and heavy rainfall. These conditions can lead to flooding, landslides, and power outages. In particular, the Cayman Islands are on alert for a direct impact, which is expected to occur by Tuesday.
**Editor:** How is the National Hurricane Center tracking this system, and what’s the forecasted path?
**Dr. Torres:** The National Hurricane Center has been closely monitoring the system. Currently, it’s moving north at about 15 kilometers per hour. The forecast suggests it will likely turn northwest tonight, which places it in proximity to Jamaica and then heading towards western Cuba, where it could strengthen significantly.
**Editor:** With the Atlantic hurricane season still ongoing, what can you share about this year’s activity?
**Dr. Torres:** This season has been quite active, with a total of ten hurricanes already formed. The NOAA has predicted that we might see above-average activity, projecting between 8 and 13 additional hurricanes, which includes 4 to 7 major hurricanes. We will need to remain vigilant as we approach the end of the season.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Torres, for your insights. It’s always important for communities in the storm’s path to stay informed and prepared.
**Dr. Torres:** Absolutely, preparedness is key. Thank you for having me!
