Storm in the Caribbean on a track to likely hit Cuba as a hurricane

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — A new tropical storm was expected to form Monday in the Caribbean and bring heavy rain to Jamaica and the Cayman Islands before strengthening to a hurricane and likely hitting Cuba, forecasters said.

The storm would be named Rafael. Later in the week it also is expected to bring heavy rainfall to Florida and portions of the U..Southeast, according to the US National Hurricane Center in Miami.

A tropical storm warning was in effect for Jamaica, and a hurricane watch was in effect for the Cayman Islands and for parts of Cuba including the provinces of Pinar del Rio, Artemisa, La Habana, Mayabeque, Matanzas, and the Isle of Youth. A tropical storm watch was issued for Villa Clara, Cienfuegos, Sancti Spiritus, Ciego de Avila, Camaguey, and Las Tunas in Cuba.

"There is increasing confidence of steady strengthening until the system reaches Cuba or the southeastern Gulf of Mexico," the center said.

The tropical depression on Monday afternoon was located about 200 miles (325 kilometres) south of Kingston, Jamaica.

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It had maximum sustained winds of 35 mph (55 kph) while moving north at 9 mph (15 kph), the center said.

The forecast storm was expected to move near Jamaica late Monday, be near or over the Cayman Islands on Tuesday and approach Cuba on Wednesday. It could be near hurricane strength when it passes near the Cayman Islands.

The most recent forecast shows the disturbance could pass over western Cuba on Wednesday as a hurricane. People in Cuba and the Florida Keys were among those urged to monitor the disturbance as it develops.

Most forecasts show the potential storm peaking as a Category 1 hurricane, "but conditions over the next few days will favour strengthening so we'll need to monitor how quickly it organises, and a stronger hurricane can't be ruled out," wrote Michael Lowry, hurricane specialist and storm surge expert, in an analysis Monday.

On Monday morning, the government of the Cayman Islands offered people sandbags and announced schools would close on Tuesday.

"Residents are urged to take immediate precautions to protect themselves and their properties," the government said in a statement.

Heavy rainfall will affect the western Caribbean with totals of 3 to 6 inches (7 to 15 centimetres) and up to 9 inches (23 cm) expected locally in Jamaica and parts of Cuba. Flooding and mudslides are possible.
On the opposite side of the Atlantic Ocean, Tropical Storm Patty dissipated.