The first tropical wave of the season will move through the Caribbean this week, south of Cuba, and will cause a significant increase in rain and thunderstorms in the country.
According to meteorologist Raydel Ruisánchez's warning on his Facebook profile, this system, combined with the strong daytime heating, local factors, and a cyclonic circulation in the upper levels of the atmosphere, will increase the activity of showers, rain, and thunderstorms, especially during the afternoon hours.
Rainfall is expected to begin increasing this Tuesday in the eastern region and will subsequently extend to the rest of the country in the following days.
Ruisánchez indicated that they will be monitoring the evolution of the system, as well as the possible occurrence of heavy rains and even severe storms, which are common phenomena during this stage of the rainy season in Cuba.
For Sunday afternoon, Ruisánchez forecasted on Facebook that the rains would primarily concentrate in the western part of the country, with an emphasis on the interior and northernmost areas of the extreme west, as well as in regions of the interior and south of that same area.
The specialist emphasized that the precipitation would be accompanied by electrical activity and that, outside of the west, it would be more isolated or even nonexistent in the rest of the archipelago.
The information was based on various local rainfall accumulation models, according to the meteorologist, who advised maintaining caution due to the possibility of thunderstorms.
Regarding this topic, the Cuban meteorologist José Rubiera explained that the first tropical wave of the year has already left Africa, but it does not represent any danger.
“An interesting thing, it remains interesting, although it is a weak system. The first tropical wave of this year emerged yesterday, Sunday the 18th, from Africa. A weak system moving across the Atlantic without any consequences. The conditions are not favorable for any formation in the Atlantic at this time,” Rubiera detailed on his YouTube channel.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued its official forecast for the Atlantic hurricane season of 2025, warning that it will be an “above-average” season, with a high probability of significant storms.
The report, presented at a press conference just days before the official start of the season (which runs from June 1 to November 30), estimates the formation of between 13 and 19 named storms, of which 6 to 10 could become hurricanes, and between 3 and 5 could reach major category (category 3 or higher).
NOAA attributes this forecast to several key climate factors: warmer-than-normal temperatures in the Atlantic and Caribbean surface; a neutral phase of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), which does not restrict the development of cyclones as an active El Niño would; and a more intense West African monsoon, which can generate more tropical waves, the "seeds" that often develop into hurricanes.
Frequently asked questions about the first tropical wave of the season in Cuba
What effects will the first tropical wave have in Cuba?
The first tropical wave of the season will cause a significant increase in rain and thunderstorms in Cuba. Rainfall is expected to begin in the eastern region and spread throughout the rest of the country. The rain will be accompanied by electrical activity, especially in the afternoon hours.
When will the rains in Cuba begin due to the tropical wave?
The rains will begin on Tuesday in the eastern region of Cuba and will extend to the rest of the country in the following days. The increase in precipitation will be gradual, with a focus on the afternoons.
What precautionary measures should be taken in response to the arrival of the tropical wave?
It is important to stay informed about the evolution of weather conditions and take precautions, especially in low-lying areas or those with poor drainage, due to the risk of floods and electrical discharges during storms.
How does the tropical wave relate to the start of the rainy season in Cuba?
The month of May marks the beginning of the rainy season in Cuba, and the arrival of the first tropical wave is a typical phenomenon of this time of year, characterized by an increase in humidity and the formation of rain and thunderstorms during the afternoons.
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