Potential tropical cyclone: ‘Slow strengthening is expected through Monday, and the system could become a tropical storm later tonight or on Monday’
Article first published: Sunday, October 30, 2022, 5 pm EST
Article last updated: Sunday, October 30, 2022, 11 pm EST
According to the National Hurricane Center’s 11 pm Sunday advisory, the potential tropical cyclone is 195 miles southeast of Kingston Jamaica and, 480 miles east-southeast of Grand Cayman, with maximum sustained wind of 40 mph. It’s moving 12 mph to the west.
"Slow strengthening is expected through Monday, and the system could become a tropical storm later tonight or on Monday." meteorologists observed. "A faster rate of strengthening is expected starting Monday night, and the system could be near hurricane strength Tuesday night or Wednesday."
SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:
A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for:
- Jamaica
- Grand Cayman Island
A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours.
Interests elsewhere along the coast of Central America, especially Belize and the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, should monitor the progress of this system. Additional watches or warnings will likely be required early this week.
HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND:
WIND: Tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area in Jamaica beginning Monday afternoon and are possible on Grand Cayman Island on Tuesday.
RAINFALL: Through Wednesday evening, the system is expected to produce rainfall amounts of 1 inch, with local amounts to 2 inches across portions of the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, the Cayman Islands, northern Honduras, eastern Nicaragua, and Belize. For Jamaica, rainfall amounts of 2 inches with local amounts of 4 inches are expected. This degree of rainfall could lead to flash flooding.
SURF: Swells generated by the system are expected to affect Jamaica and the Cayman Islands during the next couple of days. These swells could cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.
Source: National Hurricane Center
This story was originally published October 30, 2022 at 4:10 PM.