The Cuban Institute of Meteorology (INSMET) released its second tropical cyclone warning on Tuesday due to the approach of Tropical Storm Helene, which is moving northwest across the Caribbean Sea.
Helene has exhibited better organization in recent hours, with an increase in rainfall areas around its circulation center, the monitoring center reported via its Facebook page. The storm boasts maximum sustained winds of 85 km/h, with higher gusts, and its minimum pressure has dropped to 995 hectopascals, moving west-northwest at a speed of 19 km/h.
As of 6:00 pm Cuba time, the storm's center was located at 19.8 degrees north latitude and 84.9 degrees west longitude, approximately 235 kilometers south of Cape San Antonio, at the westernmost tip of Cuba.
Storm's Future Path and Intensification
INSMET forecasts that within the next 12 to 24 hours, Helene will continue its path through the western Caribbean Sea, veering northwest tonight and then north-northwest by early Wednesday. Additionally, the storm is expected to strengthen, with the potential to become a hurricane by Wednesday as it heads towards the Gulf of Mexico.
The agency noted that rainfall in western Cuba, which began this afternoon, will gradually increase in both western and central regions, with some areas experiencing heavy and intense downpours. These conditions are expected to persist through Tuesday night and into Wednesday, potentially extending until Thursday.
Weather Conditions and Warnings
As of Tuesday night, tropical storm-force winds are anticipated in Isla de la Juventud and Pinar del Río, with speeds ranging from 55 to 70 km/h. These winds will extend to the province of Artemisa by early Wednesday morning. In western Cuba, wind strength is expected to increase throughout the morning.
The forecast also warns of rough seas along the southern coast, from Pinar del Río to Sancti Spíritus, with particularly strong conditions around Isla de la Juventud and the Canarreos archipelago. Both coasts of Pinar del Río will experience rough seas, with light to moderate coastal flooding in the southwestern shoreline. In areas experiencing showers and thunderstorms, there could be an increase in wind strength and wave height, even far from the storm's center, according to INSMET.
The next tropical cyclone warning will be issued at midnight on Wednesday.
Cuban meteorologist Raydel Ruisanchez noted on Facebook that "the extent of tropical storm-force winds has increased and now reaches up to 280 km east of its center."
Earlier Tuesday, INSMET had warned about the possibility of heavy rainfall affecting much of the country, intensifying in the afternoon and evening, especially in the western region.
On the state-run morning TV show Buenos Días, the weather segment indicated that showers, rain, and thunderstorms are expected in the west and central regions from the morning.
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) also reported on Tuesday that Tropical Storm Helene continues to gain strength and poses a threat to become a hurricane as it nears the Florida coast. According to recent forecasts, Helene is expected to reach hurricane strength as it passes near the northeastern coast of the Yucatán Peninsula on Wednesday, where a warning has already been issued due to its proximity, the NHC noted on social media platform X.