Probability of tropical storm formation in southern Cuba decreases: Rain warnings persist

The possibility that thetropical depression 22, currently located south of Cuba, from becoming a tropical storm has decreased, according to the latest bulletin from the National Hurricane Center (NHC).

However, the system will continue to generate heavy rains and storms in several areas of the Caribbean, including Cuba.

According to the bulletin issued by the NHC at 10:00 a.m. EST, the disturbance is located approximately 250 kilometers west-southwest of Kingston, Jamaica, and510 kilometers southwest of Guantánamo.

It is moving northeast at a speed of approximately 22 km/h, with speed expected to continue to increase over the weekend.

The tropical storm alert is maintained for Jamaica, Haiti and several Cuban provinces, including Guantánamo, Santiago de Cuba, Holguín, Granma and Las Tunas, as well as for the southeastern Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The Institute of Meteorology (INSMET), for its part, forecast for this Friday, in itsbulletin from 11 a.m. (local time), cloudy with showers and rains that can be strong and intense in the eastern region of the country, extending from this afternoon.

For the central provinces, the weather is expected to be partly cloudy and occasionally cloudy with isolated rain, while for the west, little cloudiness is expected.

Although tropical storm formation is less likely now, with a 40% chance in the next 48 hours and over 7 days, authorities warn of the following adverse conditions:

Wind: Possible tropical storm conditions accompanied by heavy rain, especially in Jamaica, southeastern Cuba and Haiti, could occur during the day today and extend into the southeastern Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands on Saturday.

Rainfall: Accumulated rainfall is expected to reach 4 to 8 inches, with maximums of up to 16 inches in parts of Jamaica, southeastern Cuba and southern Hispaniola through Sunday. This could result in flash flooding and landslides, especially in areas of high terrain.

Storm surge:Minor coastal flooding is possible due to surge arising from the disturbance in areas of southeastern Cuba and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The INSMET Forecast Center also warns about the possibility that wind strength and wave height will increase considerably in areas with thunderstorms.