A weather system in the Caribbean is expected to strengthen this week, prompting the issuance of a hurricane watch for the Cayman Islands and a tropical storm warning for Jamaica, as reported by the National Hurricane Center in Miami.
On the other side of the Atlantic, Tropical Storm Patty has transitioned from subtropical to a tropical storm. It is currently located about 380 miles east of the Azores, according to the latest update from the hurricane center.
The storm system in the northwestern Caribbean is forecasted to intensify into a hurricane. It is likely to bring heavy rainfall to Cuba, Florida, and potentially the northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico later this week, the center stated on Monday morning.
Referred to as 'Potential Tropical Cyclone Eighteen,' the system is currently situated approximately 275 miles south of Kingston, Jamaica, and 465 miles southeast of Grand Cayman in the Cayman Islands. It has maximum sustained winds of 35 mph and is moving north at 6 mph.
A hurricane is characterized by maximum sustained surface winds of 74 mph or greater, while a tropical storm has winds ranging from 39 mph to 73 mph.
The storm is expected to approach Jamaica by late Monday and reach the Cayman Islands by Tuesday and Wednesday. Residents in Cuba and the Florida Keys are advised to closely monitor the storm's progress.
Heavy rainfall is anticipated in the western Caribbean, with expected totals of 3 to 6 inches and locally up to 9 inches in Jamaica and southern Cuba. This could lead to potential flooding and mudslides in these regions.
The impact of heavy rains is also projected to reach Florida and adjacent areas of the southeastern United States by mid- to late-week, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Tropical Storm Patty, with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph, is moving east at 20 mph. The storm is forecasted to become post-tropical in the coming days near the Azores, an island chain located about 800 miles off Portugal.
