HOUSTON — The National Hurricane Center is now issuing advisories for Potential Tropical Cyclone 9 which has formed in the Caribbean.
The NHC says the disturbance is expected to strengthen over the next few days. Tropical storm warnings and hurricane watches have been issued for portions of Mexico and Cuba.
As of the 10 a.m. advisory, PTC 9 has maximum sustained winds of 30 mph and is moving north at 6 mph. It is currently 350 miles southeast of the western tip of Cuba.
Weather models agree that this system could go into the northeastern Gulf of Mexico, so folks along the Gulf Coast, from Mississippi to Florida, need to keep an eye on this storm.
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Potential Tropical Cyclone 9 track
For Southeast Texas, weather models also agree that we will see a cold front sweep through by the end of the week that could bring us a break from the humidity with slightly cooler temperatures. It will be this system that will keep whatever forms in the Gulf well east of us.
Obviously though, because of its proximity to the Gulf of Mexico, it is a system that we will need to watch daily so no one gets caught off guard in the event a system ends up heading our way.
An important reminder is that there is still a degree of uncertainty being that we do not have a closed-off low-pressure system at the moment. This will likely happen by the middle of the week. When this occurs, we will have a better idea of the true impacts of this system.
Overall, confidence has increased that a system will develop by the middle of this week in the Northern Caribbean or Southern Gulf of Mexico. What remains uncertain is where the storm will go if it develops.
Potential Tropical Cyclone 9 Warnings
The government of Cuba has issued a Tropical Storm Warning for the Isle of Youth, Artemisa, and Pinar del Rio, and a Hurricane Watch for Pinar del Rio.
A Hurricane Watch is in effect for:
- Cabo Catoche to Tulum, Mexico
- Cuban province of Pinar del Rio
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for:
- Rio Lagartos to Tulum, Mexico
- Cuban provinces of Artemisa, Pinar del Rio, and the Isle of Youth
What is a Tropical Storm Warning?
A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area, in this case within the next 24 to 36 hours.
What is a Hurricane Watch?
A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area. A watch is typically issued 48 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous.
Check back multiple times a day as we continue to watch for potential development. You can also download the KHOU 11 app for updates sent to your phone.
