INSMET warns of deteriorating weather conditions in eastern Cuba due to Hurricane Beryl.

The Meteorology Institute (INSMET) warned about the imminent deterioration of meteorological conditions in eastern Cuba due to the proximity of Beryl.

Those conditions include the presence of winds, rains, as well as strong swells that will cause coastal flooding ranging from slight to moderate.

During its trajectory through the seas south of eastern Cuba, there will be an increase in winds in the eastern region, which in the afternoon today could reach sustained speeds between 40 and 55 km/h with higher gusts in the south of Granma," INSMET explained in its Tropical Cyclone Advisory No. 8, issued at six in the morning (local time) this Wednesday.

The leading meteorological entity stated that in the rest of the eastern region, winds will range between 20 and 35 km/h, higher in gusts.

Starting from Thursday dawn and early morning hours on July 4, there may be wind in the Isle of Youth and in the westernmost part of the country, with speeds between 30 and 45 km/h, with higher gusts.

Regarding the rain, cloudy skies with showers, rain, and some thunderstorms will prevail in the eastern region, with the potential of being strong in some areas, especially in mountainous zones.

By the end of Wednesday afternoon and evening, some rain showers may also occur in the south of the central region "due to the circulation of the outer bands associated with this cyclonic system, where it is not ruled out that heavy rain may occur," warns INSMET in its report.

The proximity of Beryl will also produce strong swells with flooding in the south of Granma and Santiago de Cuba.

There will be rough seas that will increase from the afternoon to strong rough seas in the south of Granma and the coastal area of the Guamá municipality, in Santiago de Cuba, with coastal flooding ranging from slight to moderate.

These swells will spread from early Thursday to the south of the center and later to the west in the morning of that day, where they will become strong in the south of Isla de la Juventud, the archipelago of los Canarreos and the western tip of Cuba, with coastal flooding ranging from light to moderate in low-lying areas of this coastline," concludes INSMET.

In its most recent bulletin, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami reported that Beryl, now a category 4 hurricane, is very close to Jamaica.

The phenomenon, which has weakened slightly in the last few hours, has winds of 230 km/h and is moving towards the west-northwest at a speed of 31 km/h.

Hurricane Beryl also poses a significant threat to the Cayman Islands, a territory expected to be impacted between tonight and Thursday. The National Hurricane Center has issued hurricane warnings for Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Little Cayman, and Cayman Brac.

In addition, there are active hurricane alerts for the southern coast of Haiti and the eastern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, as well as tropical storm warnings for the southern coast of the Dominican Republic and Haiti. A tropical storm alert has also been issued for the coast of Belize from the south of Chetumal to the city of Belize.

It is forecasted that Beryl will maintain its hurricane intensity as it passes near Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, although it is likely to weaken slightly in the coming days.