The Cayman Islands Government issued a Hurricane Watch in relation to Tropical Storm Paloma for the Cayman Islands at 10am on Thursday. A Hurricane Watch means hurricane conditions are possible within 36 hours.
The National Hurricane Center in Miami upgraded Tropical Depression 17 to Tropical Storm Paloma early Thursday morning.
On the current official NHC forecast track, the centre of Poloma would pass less than 25 miles west of Grand Cayman Saturday evening as a Category 2 hurricane. However, some of the computer guidance models forecast a more rapid intensification and predict Paloma to be a major hurricane when it passes all three Cayman Islands.
The current forecast track would bring the Poloma within 46 miles of Little Cayman about 5am Sunday morning and within 52 miles of Cayman Brac around 8am Sunday.
A pass just to the west would put Grand Cayman on the ‘dirty side’ of the hurricane, where the strongest winds occur.
As of 10am EST, Paloma was located 70 miles east-southeast of the Nicaragua/Honduras coastal boarder, or about 263 miles south-southwest of Grand Cayman.
Paloma has maximum sustained wind of 40 miles per hour with higher gusts. Strengthening is forecast and Poloma is expected to become a hurricane by Friday afternoon.
The storm is moving north-northwest at about 7mph, 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 from Friday.
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