Heavy rains and strong winds from Tropical Storm Helene are already impacting western Cuba, with forecasts predicting further intensification in the coming hours. The severe weather is expected to spread even to central regions, according to the latest Tropical Cyclone Advisory issued by the Institute of Meteorology (INSMET).
The highest rainfall accumulations from 8 PM last night to 5 AM today were recorded in Punta del Este, Isla de la Juventud at 101 millimeters, Paso Real de San Diego at 78 millimeters, Pinar del Río at 72 millimeters, and Isabel Rubio at 70 millimeters—all three of the latter located in the province of Pinar del Río.
Forecast for Persistent Rains and Strong Winds
The Forecast Center of the Institute of Meteorology predicts that rainfall will continue in the western and central regions of Cuba, potentially becoming heavy and intense in certain areas, persisting until Thursday.
Regarding the winds, tropical storm-force winds are expected in Isla de la Juventud and Pinar del Río, with speeds ranging from 55 to 70 kilometers per hour. These winds may extend to the province of Artemisa by morning.
Wind Speeds and Coastal Impact
In the far western part of Cuba, wind speeds are expected to increase starting early Wednesday. Wind speeds in other western provinces will vary between 40 and 55 kilometers per hour, with higher gusts.
Coastal regions, from Pinar del Río to Sancti Spíritus, will experience rough seas, escalating to strong swells south of Isla de la Juventud and the Canarreos archipelago, as well as on both coasts of Pinar del Río. This will result in minor to moderate coastal flooding along the south-western shoreline.
Projected Path and Intensification
Over the next 12 to 24 hours, the storm is expected to continue moving through the western Caribbean Sea, shifting its trajectory to the north-northwest by early Wednesday morning while slightly reducing its forward speed.
Helene is projected to gain further organization and intensity, potentially upgrading to hurricane status by this morning as it approaches the Gulf of Mexico.
In regions experiencing showers and thunderstorms, wind strength and wave heights may increase, even in areas far from the storm’s center.
Recently, Tropical Storm Helene has continued to intensify, with sustained winds increasing to 100 kilometers per hour and higher gusts. Its minimum pressure has dropped to 985 hectopascals.
In the past hours, Helene has traveled northwest, slowing its forward speed to 15 kilometers per hour. According to the National Hurricane Center's intermediate advisory at 7 AM, the storm's eye was just off the northeastern coast of the Yucatán Peninsula and was on the verge of becoming a hurricane.
At that time, the storm was located about 100 kilometers east-northeast of Cozumel and roughly 160 kilometers west-southwest of Cabo de San Antonio in the Cuban province of Pinar del Río.