Cuba's Meteorology Institute (Insmet) announced on Tuesday that intense rainfall is expected to affect a large portion of the country, with conditions worsening in the afternoon and evening, particularly in the western region.
During the weather segment of the state-run television program Buenos Días, it was revealed that showers, rain, and thunderstorms are anticipated in the western and central areas starting in the morning. Rainfall in the eastern regions is expected to concentrate in the interior and southern areas by the afternoon, according to a video posted on Facebook.
Currently, a broad area of low pressure in the northwestern Caribbean Sea, identified as Tropical Storm Helene, has shown increased organization over the past 12 hours. This development could lead to the formation of a tropical depression or storm in the coming days.
Strong rains and localized flooding are expected in the western and central regions, with the possibility of coastal flooding in the southern parts of the west, depending on the trajectory of the weather system. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) in the United States has confirmed that Tropical Storm Helene has already formed in the northwestern Caribbean Sea. Predictions indicate that it will intensify rapidly, potentially reaching hurricane strength in the next few hours.
The institution's warning highlights the danger posed by this phenomenon to Cuba, the Yucatán Peninsula, and the southeastern coast of the United States, particularly Florida.