Weather system in Caribbean likely to strengthen into tropical storm
A weather system in the southwestern Caribbean is expected to strengthen into a tropical storm on Monday, according to the National Hurricane Center. A tropical storm warning has been issued for Jamaica, and a hurricane watch is in effect for the Cayman Islands.
As of Sunday afternoon, the system was located about 345 miles south of Kingston, Jamaica, with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph. It is moving northeast and is forecast to become a tropical storm, potentially named Rafael.
Heavy rainfall is anticipated, with 3 to 6 inches expected in the western Caribbean and up to 9 inches in Jamaica and southern Cuba. Flooding and mudslides are possible, and heavy rains are expected to reach Florida later in the week.