Tropical storm watches issued for Jamaica, Grand Cayman Island. What the forecast says
Tropical storm watches were issued Sunday for Jamaica and Grand Cayman Island as a disturbance moved across the central Caribbean Sea with 40 mph sustained winds.
The system is forecast to strengthen during the next 48 hours — and it’s expected to become a tropical storm overnight, the National Hurricane Center said in its 8 p.m. advisory.
According to the hurricane center, the disturbance has a 90% of becoming a tropical storm over the next two days.
Lisa is the next name on the list for the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season.
Tropical storm wind conditions are possible in Jamaica beginning late Monday and are possible on Grand Cayman Island on Tuesday, according to the advisory.
The system’s sustained winds are forecast to peak at 80 mph in 72 hours before making landfall somewhere in the area of Belize, but portions of Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras are also in the cone of uncertainty.
Through Wednesday afternoon, the system is expected to produce one to two inches of rain across portions of the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, the Cayman Islands, northern Honduras, eastern Nicaragua, and Belize, the hurricane center said. In Jamaica, it’s forecast to bring two to four inches of rain, which could lead to flash flooding.
“Interests along the coast of Central America, especially near Belize, should monitor the progress of this system,” the hurricane center said. “Additional watches and warnings will likely be required early this week.”
As of Sunday night, the system is not a threat to Florida.
This story was originally published October 30, 2022 at 3:57 PM.
