Residents in the western and central parts of Cuba are bracing for a particularly chilly night as a cold air mass originating from the Arctic is set to bring a notable dip in both maximum and minimum temperatures starting this Tuesday. According to Dr. Miriam Teresita Llanes Monteagudo, head of the Forecasting Center at the Institute of Meteorology (Insmet), the cold spell is expected to persist not only through the early hours of Wednesday, January 8, but also on the following Thursday and Friday mornings. These conditions will be felt especially in inland areas and along the southern coast of both regions.
Dr. Llanes informed the official publication Granma that temperatures could drop below 10 degrees Celsius. She did not rule out the possibility of reaching as low as 7 °C, particularly if clear skies and weak winds prevail during nighttime.
Long-term weather models suggest that these winter-like conditions could remain throughout much of the first half of January, a period that, along with February, tends to be the coldest in Cuba.
Weather Forecast: Changes in the Afternoon and Evening
The Insmet has forecasted a shift in weather patterns for Tuesday afternoon and evening in the western and central parts of Cuba. Partial cloud cover is expected across the nation, becoming more pronounced in the northern coastal areas of the western region, where isolated showers and rain are anticipated to spread to the northern coast of the central region. Rainfall will be scarce in other parts of the country.
In the afternoon, maximum temperatures are predicted to range between 21 and 24 °C in the western half, and between 25 and 28 °C in the rest of the Cuban archipelago. At night, temperatures will drop to between 15 and 18 degrees in the west, dipping even lower in some inland areas, and between 18 and 21 °C elsewhere in the country.
Wind and Sea Conditions
Northern winds are expected to blow through the western part of Cuba, reaching speeds of 10 to 25 kilometers per hour, and up to 30 km/h in the northern coastal areas, with higher gusts. These winds will spread to the central regions by afternoon and evening, while eastern areas will experience light and variable winds.
Moderate sea conditions are forecasted for the northern coast of the western region by the afternoon, whereas the southern coasts of the west and central areas will see minimal wave activity. The rest of the coastlines will remain calm.
Recent Temperature Observations
During the early hours of Monday, temperatures in Cuba hovered around 10 degrees Celsius in the western and central regions. The weather station at Indio Hatuey in Matanzas recorded 9.8 °C, while Santo Domingo in Villa Clara noted a temperature of 10.2 °C.
The national record for the lowest temperature stands at 0.6 degrees Celsius, registered on February 18, 1996, in Bainoa, located in the province of Mayabeque.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cuba's Cold Weather
What is causing the sudden drop in temperatures in Cuba?
The sudden drop in temperatures is due to the arrival of a cold air mass from the Arctic, affecting the western and central regions of Cuba.
How long are these cold conditions expected to last?
The cold spell is expected to last through much of the first half of January, according to long-term weather forecasts.
What were the lowest temperatures recorded recently in western and central Cuba?
Recently, temperatures dropped to 9.8 °C in Indio Hatuey, Matanzas, and 10.2 °C in Santo Domingo, Villa Clara.