Soon-to-be Rafael nears tropical storm strength as Jamaica prepares to feel future hurricane’s wrath
The National Hurricane Center says Tropical Depression Eighteen will continue to move off to the north Monday and make a turn to the northwest later in the day. It will be near or over Jamaica on Monday night and be near or over the Cayman Islands on Tuesday.
Bryan Norcross: Expectation is conditions are favorable for soon-to-be Rafael to strengthen
Tropical Depression Eighteen was designated in the Caribbean Sea on Monday morning, and forecasters say it will likely become Hurricane Rafael in the next day or so. FOX Weather Hurricane Specialist Bryan Norcross takes a deep dive into the forecast details and explains what could be next for the latest tropical depression of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season.
Editor's note: Tropical Depression 18 has become Tropical Storm Rafael. Updates on this story have moved here.
MIAMI – Millions of people from the Caribbean to the U.S. Gulf Coast are keeping their eyes on Tropical Depression Eighteen as the system becomes better organized and is forecast to become Hurricane Rafael in the coming days.
According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Tropical Depression Eighteen will likely strengthen into Tropical Storm Rafael as it approaches Jamaica and will continue to strengthen on its journey north.
Rafael is expected to be near or at hurricane strength as it moves toward the Cayman Islands and Cuba, according to the NHC.
What's the latest with Tropical Depression 18?
Tropical Depression Eighteen, which was previously designated Potential Tropical Cyclone Eighteen, has maximum sustained winds of 35 mph and is located about 200 miles to the south of Kingston, Jamaica.
The NHC says tropical storm conditions are expected to begin in Jamaica later on Monday night, while hurricane conditions are expected in the Cayman Islands starting by Tuesday afternoon and in western Cuba on Wednesday.
Due to the potential threat that Tropical Depression Eighteen poses, a Tropical Storm Warning was issued for Jamaica and a Hurricane Warning was issued for the Cayman Islands.
In addition, Hurricane and Tropical Storm Watches were issued for portions of Cuba.
The NHC says that those with interests in the Florida Keys should closely monitor the progress of Tropical Depression Eighteen, as Tropical Storm Watches could be issued for the region later Monday.
WHAT TO DO WHEN WATCHES OR WARNINGS ARE ISSUED FOR YOUR TOWN
What's the forecast for Tropical Depression 18?
According to the NHC, Tropical Depression Eighteen will continue to move off to the north Monday and make a turn to the northwest later in the day. That motion is expected for the next few days. Tropical Depression Eighteen will be near or over Jamaica on Monday night and be near or over the Cayman Islands on Tuesday.
Tropical Depression Eighteen is then expected to approach Cuba on Wednesday.
The NHC says Tropical Depression Eighteen will bring heavy rain to portions of the western Caribbean, including Jamaica and portions of Cuba through midweek, increasing the risk of flooding and mudslides across the region.
Heavy precipitation is also expected to spread into Florida and the Southeast by mid- to late-week.