Potential Tropical Cyclone 18 to strengthen into Hurricane Rafael as Caribbean braces for strong wind, rain
Due to the threats posed by Potential Tropical Cyclone Eighteen, a Hurricane Watch is in place for the Cayman Islands, and a Tropical Storm Warning is in place for Jamaica. The NHC said those with interests in Cuba and the Florida Keys should monitor the progress of the system as hurricane or Tropical Storm Watches could be required for those areas later on Monday.
Hurricane Warnings issued as PTC 18 likely to strengthen into Hurricane Rafael
A Hurricane Warning has been issued for the Cayman Islands as Potential Tropical Cyclone Eighteen continues to become better organized ahead of its likely strengthening into Hurricane Rafael in the coming days.
Editor's note: PTC 18 has become Tropical Depression 18. Updates on this storm have moved here.
We may have entered the final month of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, but the tropics are showing no signs of cooling down after the National Hurricane Center (NHC) designated an area of disturbed weather in the Caribbean Sea as Potential Tropical Cyclone Eighteen.
A potential tropical cyclone (PTC) designation allows the NHC and other governments to issue Tropical Storm Watches and Warnings when a disturbance isn't quite at tropical storm strength but is expected to get there soon, with storm impacts occurring within 36 hours.
In this case, forecasters believe the tropical disturbance could likely develop into Hurricane Rafael in the coming days.
"The disturbance is expected to become a tropical storm (Monday) and pass near Jamaica (Monday night) and Tuesday, where a Tropical Storm Warning is in effect," the NHC said. "The system is forecast to become a hurricane by Tuesday night and there is a risk of dangerous impacts from hurricane-force winds and storm surge in the Cayman Ispands and portions fo western Cuba."
WHAT TO DO WHEN WATCHES OR WARNINGS ARE ISSUED FOR YOUR TOWN
What's the latest with Potential Tropical Cyclone 18?
Potential Tropical Cyclone Eighteen, which was previously designated as Invest 97L, is moving to the north at about 7 mph in the south-central Caribbean Sea with 35 mph winds.
After moving into the Gulf of Mexico later this week, the system could bring heavy rainfall and gusty winds to Florida and parts of the Southeast U.S.
Alerts issued for Cayman Islands, Jamaica
The NHC said the system is moving northward toward Jamaica, the Cayman Islands and Cuba.
Due to the threats posed by Potential Tropical Cyclone Eighteen, a Hurricane Warning has been issued for the Cayman Islands, and a Tropical Storm Warning is in place for Jamaica.
"On behalf of the government of the Cayman Islands, I encourage the community to use the daylight hours (Monday) to put all necessary preparations in place," Cayman Islands Deputy Governor Hon. Franz Manderson said in a video statement on Facebook. I also remind everyone to closely monitor the ongoing development of the system."
Manderson said schools in the Cayman Islands would remain open on Monday but will be closed on Tuesday.
The NHC said those with interests in Cuba and the Florida Keys should monitor the progress of the system as hurricane or Tropical Storm Watches could be required for those areas later on Monday.
What's the forecast for Potential Tropical Cyclone 18?
Potential Tropical Storm Eighteen is expected to become a tropical storm on Monday and pass near Jamaica later in the day or on Monday evening. It's then expected to be near or over the Cayman Islands late Tuesday into Wednesday.
Later this week, the system is expected to approach the northern Gulf Coast as Tropical Storm Rafael. It’s too soon to determine what impacts will occur, but residents along the U.S. Gulf Coast should stay informed.