Current:Home > InvestSoutheast US under major storm warning as hurricane watch issued for parts of Cuba and Mexico -Wealth Empowerment Zone
Southeast US under major storm warning as hurricane watch issued for parts of Cuba and Mexico
View
Date:2025-04-14 18:30:32
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Hurricane watches were issued for parts of Cuba and Mexico on Monday as a cluster of storms located south of the Cayman Islands could strengthen into a major hurricane in upcoming days while moving north toward the U.S., weather forecasters said.
The disturbance could become Hurricane Helene on Wednesday as it approaches the Gulf Coast, according to the National Hurricane Center.
“It could certainly become a major hurricane, which is Category 3,” Brad Reinhart, a senior hurricane specialist at the center, said in a phone interview. “People in the Florida Panhandle and the west coast of Florida certainly need to pay close attention.”
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency in 41 counties on Monday as a result of the expected storm.
Reinhart said that it’s too early to forecast where it might make landfall. He warned “there’s always some potential” for it to strengthen into a Category 4 storm, but added that it might not be the most likely outcome.
He said the disturbance could become a tropical storm by Tuesday, and that tropical storm conditions could affect parts of Florida on Wednesday as it approaches. It could turn into a major hurricane by the time it reaches the northeast Gulf Coast on Thursday.
“It’s a pretty aggressive forecast for intensification over the next few days,” he said. “People need to remain on high alert.”
Very warm sea temperatures are forecast to fuel formation of a tropical storm, which is forecast to quickly strengthen into a hurricane thanks to favorable conditions that include a moist atmosphere, which supports thunderstorm developments, and light upper-level winds at more than 10,000 feet (around 3,000 meters), Reinhart said.
The cluster of storms was located about 110 miles (175 kilometers) south-southwest of Grand Cayman on Monday. It had maximum sustained winds of 30 mph (45 kph) and was moving north at 6 mph (9 kph).
A hurricane watch was in effect for the Cuban province of Pinar del Rio and eastern Mexico from Cabo Catoche to Tulum. A tropical storm warning was in effect for eastern Mexico from Rio Lagartos to Tulum and for the Cuban provinces of Artemisa, Pinar del Rio and the Isle of Youth.
Up to eight inches of rain is forecast for western Cuba and the Cayman Islands with isolated total of some 12 inches (30 centimeters). Up to 4 inches (10 centimeters) of rain is expected for the eastern Yucatán Peninsula, with isolated total of more than 6 inches (15 centimeters) inches.
Heavy rainfall also is forecast for the Southeast U.S. starting on Wednesday, threatening flash and river flooding, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Meanwhile, up to 4 feet (1.2 meters) of storm surge is forecast for parts of Cuba and Mexico.
On Monday, authorities in the Cayman Islands closed schools as forecasters warned of heavy flooding associated with the disturbance, which is due to cut a path between Cuba and Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula in upcoming days.
Helene would be the eighth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season which runs from June 1 to Nov. 30.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has predicted an above-average Atlantic hurricane season this year because of record-warm ocean temperatures. It forecast 17 to 25 named storms, with four to seven major hurricanes of Category 3 or higher.
veryGood! (43)
Related
- Blake Lively’s Inner Circle Shares Rare Insight on Her Life as a Mom to 4 Kids
- Browns receiver Elijah Moore back home after being hospitalized overnight with concussion
- Why do we sing 'Auld Lang Syne' at the stroke of midnight? The New Year's song explained
- Argentina formally announces it won’t join the BRICS alliance in Milei’s latest policy shift
- Small twin
- Texas standout point guard Rori Harmon out for season with knee injury
- What's Making Us Happy: A guide to your weekend reading, viewing and listening
- Brazil expresses concern over Venezuela-Guyana border dispute as naval exercises begin in area
- Breaking debut in Olympics raises question: Are breakers artists or athletes?
- Magnetic balls sold by Walmart recalled due to choking and injury risks to kids
Ranking
- Your Wedding Guests Will Thank You if You Get Married at These All-Inclusive Resorts
- Browns receiver Elijah Moore back home after being hospitalized overnight with concussion
- Bowl game schedule today: Breaking down the four college football bowl games on Dec. 29
- Airstrikes over eastern Syria near Iraqi border kills six Iran-backed militants
- Head of the Federal Aviation Administration to resign, allowing Trump to pick his successor
- 4 Social Security facts you should know in 2024
- Rihanna and Kyle Richards Meet While Shopping in Aspen Just Before the New Year
- Trump's eligibility for the ballot is being challenged under the 14th Amendment. Here are the notable cases.
Recommendation
Angelina Jolie nearly fainted making Maria Callas movie: 'My body wasn’t strong enough'
Amazon partners with Hyundai to sell cars for the first time
Ellen Pompeo marks return as Meredith Grey in 'Grey's Anatomy' Season 20 teaser
How Dickens did it: 'A Christmas Carol' debuted 180 years ago, and won hearts instantly
What were Tom Selleck's juicy final 'Blue Bloods' words in Reagan family
Ellen Pompeo marks return as Meredith Grey in 'Grey's Anatomy' Season 20 teaser
Abortion debate creates ‘new era’ for state supreme court races in 2024, with big spending expected
Man charged after 2 killed in police chase crash