The Cuban Institute of Meteorology (INSMET) issued its second tropical cyclone warning on Tuesday due to the approach of Tropical Storm Helene, which is moving north-westward over the Caribbean Sea.
In the last few hours, Helene has displayed better organization, with an increase in rainfall around its circulation center, reported the monitoring center through its Facebook page.
It has maximum sustained winds of 85 km/h, with higher gusts, and its minimum pressure has dropped to 995 hectopascals, moving west-northwest at a speed of 19 km/h.
At 6:00 PM Cuba time, the center of the storm was located at 19.8 degrees north latitude and 84.9 degrees west longitude, about 235 kilometers south of Cape San Antonio, at the western tip of the country.
According to INSMET, in the next 12 to 24 hours, Helene is expected to continue its path through the western Caribbean Sea, shifting northwest tonight and then to the north-northwest early Wednesday morning.
Additionally, it is forecasted that the storm will gain in intensity, with chances of becoming a hurricane by tomorrow, Wednesday, as it moves toward the Gulf of Mexico.
The report indicated that the rains in western Cuba, which began this afternoon, will gradually increase in both the western and central regions, with precipitation that could be heavy and intense in some areas.
He noted that these conditions will persist during the night of this Tuesday and into Wednesday, potentially extending into Thursday.
Starting Tuesday night, tropical storm-force winds are expected to begin in Isla de la Juventud and Pinar del Río, with speeds between 55 and 70 km/h. These winds will extend to the province of Artemisa from early morning into Wednesday. In the western part of Cuba, wind strength will increase throughout the morning.
According to the forecast, rough seas are expected along the southern coast, from Pinar del Río to Sancti Spíritus, with stronger conditions anticipated in the Isle of Youth and the Canarreos archipelago.
Both coasts of Pinar del Río will also experience swells, leading to light to moderate coastal flooding along the southwestern shoreline.
In the areas experiencing rain showers and thunderstorms, there may be an increase in wind strength and wave height, even in regions distant from the center of the storm, INSMET indicated.
The next tropical cyclone warning will be issued at midnight on Wednesday.
Cuban meteorologist Raydel Ruisanchez mentioned on Facebook that "the extent of tropical storm winds has increased and now extends up to 280 km east of its center."
Previously, INSMET had warned this Tuesday about the possibility of heavy rains affecting much of the country, which will intensify during the afternoon and evening, especially in the western region.
In the weather segment of the official television program Buenos Días, it was announced that showers, rain, and thunderstorms are expected in the western and central regions starting in the morning.
Similarly, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported this Tuesday that Tropical Storm Helene continues to gain strength and poses a threat of becoming a hurricane as it approaches the coast of Florida.
According to the latest forecasts, Helene is expected to reach hurricane strength as it passes near the northeastern coast of the Yucatán Peninsula this Wednesday, where a warning has already been issued due to its proximity, noted the NHC on social media platform X.
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