Tropical storm formations are developing in the Caribbean, expected to become Tropical Storm Rafael on Monday

MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WMBF) – We now have our next tropical storm developing in the Caribbean. This system is expected to become a tropical storm tomorrow and a hurricane by the middle of this week.

Development of tropical storm shapes in the Caribbean(WMBF News)

At 4:00 PM the disturbance was concentrated near latitude 13.0 north and longitude 77.1 west. The system is moving towards the northeast at a speed of 11 km/h. A turn to the north and then to the northwest is expected in the coming days. According to the forecast, the system is expected to move near Jamaica late Monday and near or over the Cayman Islands on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph (55 km/h) with higher gusts. This system is expected to become a tropical depression this evening and steady strengthening is forecast.

Hurricane conditions are possible in the Cayman Islands on Tuesday. Tropical storm conditions are expected in Jamaica late Monday.

Heavy rainfall will impact areas in the western Caribbean, with the heaviest rainfall occurring over Jamaica and southern Cuba by mid-week. Rainfall totals will range from 3 to 6 inches, with up to 9 inches expected locally. 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.

Minor coastal flooding is possible in Jamaica on Monday and the Cayman Islands on Tuesday.

We in the Carolinas will likely not see any immediate impacts, but we will see an increase in humidity next weekend.