MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WMBF) – We now have our next tropical storm developing in the Caribbean. This system is expected to strengthen into a tropical storm by tomorrow and then into a hurricane by mid-week.

As of 4 p.m., the disturbance was centered near latitude 13.0 north and longitude 77.1 west. The system is moving northeast near 7 mph. A turn towards the north then the northwest is expected in the coming days. According to the forecast track, the system is expected to move near Jamaica Monday evening and near or over the Cayman Islands Tuesday and Wednesday.

Maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph (55 km/h) with higher gusts. This system is expected to develop into a tropical depression tonight and continued strengthening is forecast.

Hurricane conditions are possible Tuesday in the Cayman Islands. Tropical storm conditions are expected in Jamaica by Monday evening.

Heavy rain will affect areas of the western Caribbean, with the heaviest rainfall occurring over Jamaica and southern Cuba through mid-week. Rainfall totals between 3 and 6 inches with locally up to 9 inches expected. Flooding may occur in parts of Jamaica and Cuba, with mudslides possible. Heavy rain will spread northward toward Florida and adjacent areas of the southeastern United States by mid- to late-week.

Minor coastal flooding is possible in Jamaica on Monday and in the Cayman Islands on Tuesday.

For us in the Carolinas, no direct impacts will likely be seen, but we will see increased humidity by next weekend.

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