Tropical Depression Brings Heavy Rains across Central Cuba

At 200 PM EDT, the center of Tropical Depression Eighteen was located by weather radars from Cuba and Grand Cayman near latitude 21.8 North, longitude 82.4 West. The depression is moving toward the north-northeast near 25 mph (41 km/h) and this motion is expected to continue today.

A motion toward the northeast with an increase in forward speed is expected to begin tonight and continue through Sunday.

On the forecast track, the center will move across west-central Cuba this afternoon and evening, across the Straits of Florida and near the Florida Keys overnight, and across the northwestern Bahamas Sunday morning.

Maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph (55 km/h) with higher gusts. Strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours, and the depression is expected to become a tropical storm overnight.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Cuban provinces of Isla de la Juventud, La Habana, Ciudad de la Habana, Matanzas, Cienfuegos, and Villa Clara, as well as for the northwestern Bahamas.

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Craig Key to Golden Beach and Central Bahamas.

Source: WWL