Havana photo by Juan Suarez

Increasing cloudiness and rain as the most active phase of hurricane season begins…

By Adrian Fuentes

HAVANA TIMES – Atmospheric conditions over western Cuba are entering the most active phase of hurricane season this week, a period that extends through the first half of September. An increase in humidity and cloud cover will favor more frequent afternoon showers and thunderstorms over the capital, with a noticeable drop in maximum temperatures expected Thursday and Friday.

Thursday the 20th and Friday the 21st will bring a marked increase in cloudiness, with more frequent and intense afternoon showers and thunderstorms. Over the weekend, Saturday the 22nd and Sunday the 23rd, conditions are expected to gradually change, with rising temperatures and isolated afternoon showers. On Monday the 24th and Tuesday the 25th, the typical seasonal pattern of convection will continue, while scattered showers are forecast for Wednesday the 26th, mainly along Havana’s coastal and inland areas.

Winds will be predominantly from the east and northeast, at speeds of 15 to 35 kilometers per hour (9 to 22 mph), with occasional gusts of up to 45 km/h (28 mph) during thunderstorms. Relative humidity will remain high, with lows near 65% and highs approaching 95%. Highs will range between 29 and 33°C (84 and 91°F), and lows at 24 and 25°C (75 and 77°F). Sea surface temperatures will remain near 29°C (84°F).

No tropical cyclone development is expected in the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, or Gulf of Mexico over the next seven days, according to the latest bulletin from the National Hurricane Center. However, Cuban specialists warn that the third and fourth weeks of August mark the beginning of the period of greatest hurricane risk for the country. Insmet is therefore stepping up the heightened monitoring customary during this phase of the hurricane season, which runs from June 1 through November 30.

Read more from Cuba here in Havana Times.