Tropical Storm Delta has recently formed in the Caribbean and is expected to become a hurricane as it makes its way to the US coast later this week, the National Hurricane Center reported on Monday morning.
The storm is expected to gain its strength as it will be moving into the Gulf of Mexico in the next few days.
Tropical Storm Delta and the Makings of a Hurricane
Delta was spotted at 130 miles south of Jamaica with sustained winds of 40 mph as of Monday morning. National Hurricane Center said that the storm could hit Cayman islands and eventually Western Cuba on Tuesday and gather enough strength to become a hurricane posing danger to US Gulf Coast later this week.
The 25th Atlantic Storm for the year, this is the second time that a Greek letter Delta was used for a storm. The first storm that was also named Delta was on November 15, 2005.
National Hurricane Centers expects "some robust intensification" as the water in the Gulf of Mexico as the water is still hot, which makes it an ideal ground for developing a hurricane.
Weather experts are also looking into another variable: the interaction of Tropical Storm Delta with Tropical Storm Gamma, which made landfall in Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula on October 3 and is still drifting in the area. According to the National Hurricane, Delta's interaction with Tropical Storm Gamma could result in a sharp move westward, and a quick turn towards the northwest.
From Thursday to Friday, Delta is expected to be a Category 1 or 2 hurricane as it moves towards the US Gulf Coast. The intensity of the Delta is still uncertain since the system is still subject to high-level winds and cooler Gulf water as it moves towards the US.
However, despite the expected weakening in the Gulf Coast, it is still possible that Delta could become an intense hurricane.
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Warning And Advisories
Cayman Islands
A tropical storm warning has been issued for the Cayman Islands since Monday. Tropical Storm Delta is expected to have strong winds and heavy rains in several areas of Jamaica, Cuba and Caymans Island in the next few days. Residents are the urge to be vigilant of dangerous flash floods and mudslides, especially those who are in hilly and mountainous areas.
Residents along the southern coast of Western Cuba are warned of storm surge that will raise water levels by as much as two to four feet above normal tide levels.
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Cuba
In the western province of Pinar del Rio, a hurricane watch and tropical storm warning are also in effect in Cuba's Isle of Youth where the hurricane is likely to occur by Tuesday afternoon.
US Gulf Coast
Residents of the northern Gulf Coast are asked to be vigilant and update themselves on the forecast multiple times a day this week.
Tropical Storm Delta could become a Category 1 or 2 hurricane as it moves towards the Gulf Coast later this week. Should this happen, a dangerous storm surge, hurricane-force winds, and torrential rainfall leading to floods could occur somewhere from Louisiana into the Florida Panhandle.
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