New tropical system forms in Caribbean, could pose a threat to US Gulf Coast next weekend

System Forecasted to‌ Become Rafael

A new tropical system is forecasted to move⁣ into the Gulf of Mexico mid to late week.

A broad area of low⁢ pressure continues to organize as it moves across the western Caribbean.

The National Hurricane Center ⁤has designated the area as ⁤Potential Tropical Cyclone 18. It is forecasted to strengthen into a tropical storm ⁣on Monday, taking the name Rafael.

P.T.C 18 will continue northwest over Jamaica and the Cayman Islands through Tuesday. A Hurricane ‍Watch is in effect for the Cayman Islands, ‌and a Tropical ⁤Storm Warning has ​been issued for Jamaica.

The ‌system will upgrade to a ⁤tropical storm early in the week and remain so as it approaches Cuba.

Cuba will​ begin to see impacts as ‍early as Tuesday afternoon. By Wednesday, the ​system could upgrade to a Category 1 hurricane as it enters the eastern Gulf of Mexico. It ‍is ​forecasted to weaken back to a tropical storm as it moves​ further into the⁣ Gulf.

There is still a⁤ high level of uncertainty after the storm enters the Gulf, as can be seen by the wide forecast cone of ⁣uncertainty for the storm. Interests from the Texas‌ Gulf Coast ‌all the ​way to the Florida Panhandle should‍ keep a close eye on this system.

The⁣ tropical system will upgrade ⁢to a Category 1 ​hurricane briefly on Wednesday as it moves into the eastern Gulf of Mexico.

Daji Aswad

I am grateful for the opportunity to share the captivating tales of weather, climate, and science‌ within a community that‍ has undergone the same transformative moments that have shaped my own life.

Christian Terry

Christian Terry covered digital​ news in ⁢Tyler and ⁢Wichita​ Falls before returning to ⁣the Houston area where he grew⁣ up. He is ⁤passionate about weather and‌ the outdoors and often spends his days off ⁤on the water fishing.