The National Hurricane Center in Miami upgraded Tropical Depression 17 to Tropical Storm Paloma early Thursday morning.
On the current official NHC forecast track, Poloma would pass less than 25 miles west of Grand Cayman Saturday evening as a Category 2 hurricane.
As of 7am EST, Paloma was located 70 miles east-southeast of the Nicaragua/Honduras coastal boarder, or about 282 miles south-southwest of Grand Cayman.
Paloma has maximum sustained wind of 40 miles per hour with higher gusts. Strengthening is forecasted and Poloma is expected to become a hurricane by Friday afternoon.
The storm is moving north-northwest, a movement that is expected to continue through tonight. However, Paloma is expected to turn toward the northeast – and the Cayman Islands.- tomorrow.
The Cayman Islands National Weather Service continued to issue its severe weather statement with regard to the rainfall expected in advance of the storm. In additional to the heavy rains received on Tuesday and Wednesday, an additional three to four inches are forecasted through Friday morning and flooding in low-lying areas is expected.
On its current path, Paloma will bring high surf to the west coast and the area of Seven Mile Beach on Saturday, when winds are expected to shift to the north or northwest.
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