MIAMI -- Tropical Depression Nine is still expected to reach Florida as a hurricane early next week, but not as Hurricane Hermine.
The National Hurricane Center has given that name to a system in the far eastern Atlantic. A hurricane watch has been issued for the Cayman Islands and a tropical storm watch for Jamaica. It is expected to be a major hurricane when it approaches Florida in the Gulf.
Here is the latest advisory:
WTNT34 KNHC 232052
TCPAT4
BULLETIN
Tropical Depression Nine Advisory Number 3
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL092022
500 PM EDT Fri Sep 23 2022
...HURRICANE WATCH ISSUED FOR THE CAYMAN ISLANDS AND TROPICAL STORM
WATCH ISSUED FOR JAMAICA...
...AIR FORCE HURRICANE HUNTERS EN ROUTE TO INVESTIGATE THE
DEPRESSION...
SUMMARY OF 500 PM EDT...2100 UTC...INFORMATION
----------------------------------------------
LOCATION...14.7N 71.3W
ABOUT 430 MI...690 KM ESE OF KINGSTON JAMAICA
ABOUT 930 MI...1500 KM SE OF HAVANA CUBA
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...35 MPH...55 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT...WNW OR 290 DEGREES AT 15 MPH...24 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...1006 MB...29.71 INCHES
WATCHES AND WARNINGS
--------------------
CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY:
The government of the Cayman Islands has issued a Hurricane Watch
for the Cayman Islands, including Grand Cayman, Little Cayman, and
Cayman Brac.
The government of Jamaica has issued a Tropical Storm Watch for
Jamaica.
SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:
A Hurricane Watch is in effect for...
* Cayman Islands
A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for...
* Jamaica
A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible
within the watch area. A watch is typically issued 48 hours
before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force
winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or
dangerous.
A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are
possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours.
DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK
----------------------
At 500 PM EDT (2100 UTC), the center of Tropical Depression Nine was
located near latitude 14.7 North, longitude 71.3 West. The
depression is moving toward the west-northwest near 15 mph (24
km/h). A westward motion is expected to begin tonight and continue
through Saturday night, followed by a turn toward the northwest and
north-northwest on Sunday and Monday. On the forecast track, the
center of the cyclone is forecast to move across the central
Caribbean Sea through Saturday, pass south of Jamaica on Saturday
night and Sunday, and approach the Cayman Islands on Sunday night
and early Monday.
Maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph (55 km/h) with higher gusts.
Some slow strengthening is forecast during the next day or so, and
the depression is expected to become a tropical storm by tonight.
More significant intensification is forecast on Sunday and Monday,
and the system is forecast to become a hurricane by early Monday.
The estimated minimum central pressure is 1006 mb (29.71 inches).
HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
----------------------
Key messages for Tropical Depression Nine can be found in the
Tropical Cyclone Discussion under AWIPS header MIATCDAT4 and WMO
header WTNT44 KNHC and on the web at
hurricanes.gov/text/MIATCDAT4.shtml.
WIND: Hurricane conditions are possible in the Cayman Islands by
early Monday, with tropical storm conditions possible by late
Sunday. Tropical storm conditions are possible on Jamaica by
Sunday.
RAINFALL: Tropical Depression Nine is expected to produce the
following rainfall:
Southern Haiti and Southern Dominican Republic: 2 to 4 inches, with
local maximum up to 6 inches
Jamaica and the Cayman Islands: 4 to 8 inches, with local maximum up
to 12 inches
Western to central Cuba: 6 to 10 inches, with local maximum up to 14
inches.
Heavy rains may begin to affect South Florida on Monday. Limited
flash and urban flood impacts may be possible with this rainfall.
These rains may produce flash flooding and mudslides in areas of
higher terrain, particularly over Jamaica and Cuba.
STORM SURGE: Storm surge could raise water levels by as much as 1 to
3 feet above normal tide levels along the immediate coast in areas
of onshore winds in the Cayman Islands Sunday night into Monday.
Localized coastal flooding is possible along the coast of Jamaica in
areas of onshore winds on Sunday.
SURF: Swells generated by this system will begin affecting Jamaica,
the Cayman Islands, and Cuba over the next several days. These
swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current
conditions. Please consult products from your local weather office.
NEXT ADVISORY
-------------
Next complete advisory at 1100 PM EDT.
Photo: NHC/NOAA