Article first published: Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, 6 a.m. ET

Article last updated: Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, 12 p.m. ET

The National Hurricane Center’s 12 pm Monday advisory reported that the tropical depression has become a tropical depression with sustained winds of 35 mph after intensifying from a potential tropical cyclone. The tropical depression is 200 miles south of Kingston Jamaica and 430 miles southeast of Grand Cayman, with maximum sustained wind of 35 mph. It’s moving at 9 mph to the north.

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

YESTERDAY (Monday):

The National Hurricane Center issued the first advisory for a potential tropical cyclone at 3 pm yesterday (Sunday). Issued for the Cayman Islands placed under a hurricane tropical storm watch warning 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 anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous. Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion.system. Additional watches or warnings could be required today.

A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area. A watch is typically issued 48 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside 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, generally within 48 hours.

Interests elsewhere in Cuba and the Florida Keys should closely monitor this system.

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND:

WIND: Hurricane conditions are expected in the Cayman Islands by Tuesday afternoon and are possible in western Cuba and the Isle of Youth on Wednesday. Tropical storm conditions are expected in Jamaica by 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 portions of Cuba through mid-week. Rainfall totals between 3 to 6 inches with locally up to 9 inches are expected. Flooding could occur over portions of Jamaica and Cuba, with mudslides possible.

Heavy rainfall will spread north into Florida and adjacent areas of the Southeast United States during mid- to late week.

For a complete depiction of forecast rainfall associated with Tropical Depression Eighteen, please see the National Weather Service Storm Total Rainfall Graphic, available at https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/graphics_at3.shtml? Rainqpf

STORM SURGE: Minor coastal flooding is possible in Jamaica tonight and the Cayman Islands on Tuesday. Storm surge could raise water levels by as much as 2 to 4 feet above normal tide levels in areas of onshore winds along the southern coast of Pinar del Rio, Cuba, including the Isle of Youth.

SURF: Swells generated by the system are expected to affect much of the western Caribbean during the next few days.

Source: National Hurricane Center