Monday, November 4: Update from the National Hurricane Center on the tropical depression

Article first published: Monday, November 4, 2024, 6:00am ET

Article last updated: Monday, November 4, 2024, 12:00 PM ET

According to the National Hurricane Center advisory issued at noon on Monday, Eighteen has regained strength and has evolved from a potential tropical cyclone to a tropical depression with sustained winds of 55 km per hour. The tropical depression is located 200 miles south of Kingston Jamaica and 450 miles southeast of Grand Cayman, with maximum sustained winds of 35 miles per hour. It is moving north at a speed of 9 km/h.

“…the system is expected to move near Jamaica late tonight, be near or over the Cayman Islands on Tuesday and approach Cuba on Wednesday.” forecasters noted. “Continuous strengthening is forecast, and the depression is expected to become a tropical storm later today or tonight, and a hurricane on Wednesday.”

YESTERDAY (Monday):

The National Hurricane Center released the initial advisory for a possible tropical cyclone yesterday (Sunday) at 3 p.m. Issued for the Cayman Islands which have been placed under a tropical storm watch by forecasters.

SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:

A hurricane warning is in effect for:

– Cayman Islands

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for:

– Cuban provinces of Pinar del Rio, Artemisa, La Habana, Mayabeque, Matanzas and the Isle of Youth

A tropical storm warning is in effect for:

– Jamaica

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for:

– Cuban provinces of Villa Clara, Cienfuegos, Sancti Spiritus, Ciego de Avila, Camaguey and Las Tunas

A hurricane warning means that hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area. A warning is typically issued 36 hours before the expected first appearance of tropical storm force winds, conditions that make external preparations difficult or dangerous. Preparations to protect life and property must be completed urgently. Additional monitoring or warnings may be necessary today.

A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area. A watch is typically issued 48 hours before the expected first appearance of tropical storm force winds, conditions that make outdoor preparations difficult or dangerous.

A tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area, in this case within 24 hours.

A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, usually within 48 hours.

Interests elsewhere in Cuba and the Florida Keys should keep a close eye on this system.

HAZARDS TO LAND:

WIND: Hurricane conditions are expected in the Cayman Islands Tuesday afternoon and are possible in western Cuba and the Isle of Youth on Wednesday. Tropical storm conditions are expected in Jamaica late tonight and are possible in central Cuba on Wednesday.

RAINFALL: Heavy rainfall will impact areas of the western Caribbean, with the heaviest rainfall occurring over Jamaica and parts of Cuba in mid-week. Precipitation of between 3 and 6 centimeters and locally up to 9 centimeters is expected. Flooding may occur in parts of Jamaica and Cuba, with possible mudslides.

Heavy rain will spread northward into Florida and adjacent areas of the southeastern United States by midweek.

For a full view of the forecast rainfall associated with Tropical Depression Eighteen, see the National Weather Service Storm Total Rainfall Graphic, available on Rainqpf

STORM POST: Minor coastal flooding is possible in Jamaica this evening and the Cayman Islands on Tuesday. A storm surge could raise water levels as much as 2 to 4 feet above normal tide levels in areas with onshore winds along the south coast of Pinar del Rio, Cuba, including the Isle of Youth.

SURF: System-generated swells are expected to affect much of the western Caribbean in the coming days.

Source: National Hurricane Center