We may have entered the final month of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, but the tropics show no signs of cooling after the National Hurricane Center (NHC) classified an area of ​​weather disturbance in the Caribbean Sea as Potential Tropical Cyclone 18.

Designation as a potential tropical cyclone (PTC) allows the NHC and other governments to issue tropical storm watches and warnings when a disturbance does not quite reach tropical storm strength but is expected to arrive soon and the storm’s effects occur within 36 hours.

In this case, meteorologists believe that the tropical disturbance could likely develop into Hurricane Rafael in the coming days.

“The disturbance is expected to develop into a tropical storm (Monday) and pass near Jamaica (Monday night) and Tuesday, where a tropical storm warning is in effect,” the NHC said. “The system is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane by Tuesday evening and there is a risk of dangerous impacts from hurricane-force winds and storm surge in the Cayman Islands and parts of western Cuba.”

What to do if watches or warnings are issued for your city?

What’s new on potential Tropical Cyclone 18?

This graphic shows the latest on potential Tropical Cyclone Eighteen.
(FOX Weather)

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Potential Tropical Cyclone Eighteen, previously designated Invest 97L, is moving northward in the south-central Caribbean Sea at speeds of about 7 mph (11 km/h) with winds of 35 mph (56 km/h).

After moving into the Gulf of Mexico later this week, the system could bring heavy rains and gusty winds to Florida and parts of the southeastern United States

Warnings for Cayman Islands, Jamaica

Watches and warnings for potential Tropical Cyclone Eighteen.
(FOX Weather)

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The NHC said the system was moving north toward Jamaica, the Cayman Islands and Cuba.

Due to the threat of Potential Tropical Cyclone 18, a hurricane warning has been issued for the Cayman Islands and a tropical storm warning is in effect for Jamaica.

HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER

“On behalf of the Government of the Cayman Islands, I encourage the community to use the daylight hours (Monday) to make all necessary preparations,” said the Deputy Governor of the Cayman Islands, Hon. Franz Manderson said in a video statement on Facebook. I also remind everyone to closely monitor the further development of the system.”

Manderson said schools in the Cayman Islands would remain open on Monday but would be closed on Tuesday.

The NHC said those with interests in Cuba and the Florida Keys should monitor the system’s progress because hurricane or tropical storm watches may be required for those areas later Monday.

What is the forecast for potential Tropical Cyclone 18?

The forecast path for potential Tropical Cyclone Eighteen.
(FOX Weather)

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Potential Tropical Storm 18 is expected to become a tropical storm on Monday and pass near Jamaica later in the day or Monday evening. It is then expected to be near or over the Cayman Islands Tuesday through Wednesday.

Later this week, the system is expected to approach the northern Gulf Coast as Tropical Storm Rafael. It is too early to tell what impacts will occur, but residents along the U.S. Gulf Coast should stay informed.