TD 18 forms, could become Hurricane Rafael in Gulf of Mexico over the next few days

ORLANDO, Fla. — A tropical disturbance in the Caribbean is forecast to become our next named storm.

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TD 18 nears Tropical Storm strength.

It is expected to become our next named tropical storm by this evening, Rafael.

Tropical storm conditions will start to be felt in Jamaica tonight through the overnight.

Further strengthening is expected tomorrow as it nears the Cayman Islands and Cuba.

Tropical Depression 18 formed Monday morning in the Caribbean.

The National Hurricane Center has now issued a Hurricane Warning for the Cayman Islands.

A hurricane watch was also issued for parts of Cuba, and a tropical storm warning was issued for Jamaica.

TD 18 is expected to strengthen and become a hurricane by early Wednesday morning as it approaches Cuba’s southwestern coastline.

Soon-to-be Rafael will eventually track into the Gulf later this week.

The low-pressure area is moving north from the southern Caribbean.

A tropical storm warning has been issued for Jamaica.

The storm is expected to become a Category 1 hurricane over the next several days.

Thankfully, forecast tracks as of Monday morning are keeping the system to the west of Florida.

It could be in the central Gulf of Mexico by Friday night.

It’s unclear where it will inevitably go after that.

Channel 9 will continue to monitor the storm and provide updates on Eyewitness News.

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