Warnings issued for Cayman Islands, western Cuba as tropical depression forms
Gavin Riley / Our Today
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Tropical storm warnings have been activated for the Cayman Islands and western Cuba on Thursday (August 26) as the low-pressure system pummelling Jamaica strengthened into a tropical depression.
According to the US-based National Hurricane Center (NHC), the system is expected to steadily intensify over the next few days.
The NHC, in an 11:00 am Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) bulletin, said the centre of Tropical Depression Nine was located near latitude 16.9 North, longitude 79.2 West—or roughly 180 kilometres south-southwest of Negril, Westmoreland.
The tropical depression continues to move northwest at 20 kilometres/hour and now packs maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometres/hour, with higher gusts.
The tropical storm warnings are as follows:
- The Cayman Islands, including Grand Cayman, Little Cayman, and Cayman Brac
- Cuban provinces of Matanzas, Mayabeque, Havana, Artemisa, Pinar del Rio, and Isla de la Juventud
Meteorologists are warning despite its interaction with Jamaica, Tropical Depression Nine could rapidly develop into a hurricane by Saturday, August 28.
Worse still, experts added that the system could become the second major hurricane after category three Grace, if models prove accurate.
“The depression is expected to become a tropical storm tonight, and become a hurricane when it is near western Cuba or over the southeastern Gulf of Mexico. Additional strengthening is likely over the Gulf of Mexico and the system could be near major hurricane strength when it approaches the northern Gulf Coast,” the NHC advised.
On the forecast track, the centre of the depression will pass near or directly hit the Cayman Islands tonight, then turn its sights western Cuba and Isla de la Juventud on Friday.
The system is also anticipated to move over the southeastern and central Gulf of Mexico into Friday night and Saturday, before projections place its path on a direct approach to the US northern Gulf Coast on Sunday.
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