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Tropical Depression 16 Could Become Tropical Storm Today

Will Produce Heavy Rain and Possible Mudslides in Puerto Rico, Hispanola, and Cuba

AccuWeather.com reports that Tropical Depression 16 formed at 11:00 p.m. EDT in the eastern Caribbean Sea south of Hispanola. As of 5 a.m. EDT, the depression is centered at 16.2 degrees north and 72.1 degrees west. Sustained winds are 35 mph with higher gusts. The system is moving to the west-northwest at 7 mph. Tropical storm warnings are in effect from the southwestern Peninsula of Haiti from the Haiti-Dominican Republic Border westward to Port-Au-Prince. Tropical storm watches have been issued for the Cuban provinces of Granma, Santiago de Cuba, and Guantanamo.

Tropical Depression 16 is expected to strengthen over the next 12-24 hours as wind shear continues to weaken across the region and may become a tropical storm during the day Sunday. Latest Satellite images show that the majority of the thunderstorm activity continues to fire on the eastern side of the circulation. As wind shear weakens, thunderstorm activity should begin to fire on the western side as well, allowing the system to strengthen. The storm is expected to continue on a west-northwest track across the northern Caribbean the next few days before being picked up by an upper-level trough moving across the eastern United States toward the end of next week. This system will produce very heavy rain over Puerto Rico, Hispanola, and Cuba the next couple of days which may lead to deadly mudslides in the mountains and flooding problems. Interests in South Florida and the Keys should monitor the progress of this system.

Elsewhere in the Atlantic, another weak area of low pressure is located over the Northwest Caribbean. There is a good amount of shower and thunderstorm activity associated with this system, but it is not showing any signs of organization. Shear will remain strong across the region for the next few days, limiting the chances for development. High pressure is in control across the rest of the Atlantic.

To learn more or discuss with a forecaster, please contact:

Justin Roberti
814-235-8756
Roberti@AccuWeather.com