Forecasters say tropical depression possible as system brews

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Forecasters have said a tropical depression could form later this week as a broad area of low pressure looks likely to develop over the southwestern Caribbean Sea in a few days.

The US National Hurricane Center in Miami said on Monday that the area has a 40% chance of cyclone formation through the next seven days.

“[The] broad area of low pressure is likely to develop over the southwestern Caribbean Sea in a few days. Gradual development is possible thereafter, and a tropical depression could form late this week or over the weekend while the system begins to drift northward or northeastward over the southwestern and central Caribbean Sea,” said the NHC advisory.

Cayman’s National Weather Service, in its Monday afternoon forecast, said it will continue to monitor the development of this system.

It said the outlook ahead for the island includes fresh to strong winds and rough seas which are expected to continue across the Cayman area.

A small craft advisory will remain in effect through Friday morning, it added.

Outlook calls for rain

The forecast says heavy showers are possible on Monday as “excessive moisture lingering over the northwestern Caribbean interacts with a retrogressing stationary front”.

A gradual decrease is expected Tuesday morning as another tropical wave moves south of the Cayman area.

“Radar images show widespread showers towards the northwest of Grand Cayman with scattered to numerous showers south of the Sister Islands, drifting towards the west-northwest,” the forecast stated.

Residents can expect cloudy to overcast skies with occasional showers and some thunder on Monday.

“Showers will become locally heavy at times which may lead to possible flooding of low-lying areas,” the forecast stated.

Temperatures will rise to the mid-to-upper 80s °F.

“Winds will be east to northeast at 15 to 20 knots with higher gusts. Seas will be rough with wave heights of 5 to 7 feet. Small craft should continue to exercise caution over the open seas,” the forecast added.