The Forecast Center of the Institute of Meteorology (INSMET) alerted in its latest bulletin that Tropical Storm Rafael, with maximum sustained winds of 110 kilometers per hour, is on the verge of becoming a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
In Tropical Cyclone Bulletin Number Six, INSMET indicated that, during the afternoon, Rafael has gained organization and intensity, approaching hurricane status, which occurs when a meteorological phenomenon reaches sustained maximum winds of at least 119 kilometers per hour.
He pointed out that the central minimum pressure has decreased to 989 hectoPascals, and its center is located at 19.5 degrees North latitude and 79.9 degrees West longitude, positioned near the Cayman Islands and 360 kilometers southeast of Punta del Este, Isle of Youth.
He mentioned that the system is moving in a northwest direction and has increased its forward speed to 24 kilometers per hour.
In the next 12 to 24 hours, it is expected to continue moving in a similar direction and at a similar speed, potentially reaching hurricane status as it moves over the waters near the Cayman Islands.
The rainfall, which has already impacted the eastern and central regions of the country, will extend overnight into the western part of Cuba, bringing heavy rains with accumulations of between 100 and 200 millimeters in 24 hours in some areas, according to INSMET.
In addition, the east to southeast winds in the west and center will progressively increase in intensity, with gusts that could exceed 100 kilometers per hour starting tomorrow afternoon.
The central and western southern coast will experience strong surf and moderate to severe coastal flooding, affecting provinces such as Sancti Spíritus, Cienfuegos, Matanzas, Mayabeque, Artemisa, Pinar del Río, and the Isle of Youth, as well as the Canarreos archipelago.
Due to the imminent danger, starting at 5:00 p.m. this Tuesday, the Civil Defense General Staff of Cuba decided to establish the alert phase for the provinces of Villa Clara, Cienfuegos, and Sancti Spíritus due to the possibility of being directly affected by Tropical Storm Rafael.
The news item number three, published on the social media platform X, notes that during the morning of this Tuesday, Rafael has shown better organization, although he has not experienced a significant change in his intensity.
Starting at 3:00 p.m. this Monday, the General Staff of Civil Defense in Cuba decided to implement an alert phase for the provinces of Matanzas, Mayabeque, Havana, Artemisa, Pinar del Río, and the special municipality of Isla de la Juventud, due to the possibility of being directly affected by the hydrometeorological phenomenon.
Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel stated on Tuesday that the country is "prepared and organized" to confront this new threat, a claim that contrasts sharply with the harsh reality of government management during the recent crisis.
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