Storm Approaches Cuba

By Circles Robinson

HAVANA TIMES, Sept. 28 – Cuban weather forecasters issued a new advisory late Tuesday afternoon on Tropical Depression No. 16, which they say could become Tropical Storm “Nicole” later tonight before crossing the island.

The storm should bring heavy rains from Matanzas to Guantanamo provinces, informed the Cuban Meteorological Institute.

The winds associated with the depression were measured at 55 kph (35 mph) and it was located at 90 kilometers (55 miles) south of Punta Gorda, Matanzas and moving at 17 kph (10 mph) in a north-northeast path.

The Institute is now predicting that the storm will cross Cuba along the dividing line between Havana and Matanzas province sometime late Tuesday.  They have also noted that the heaviest rains usually fall east of the center.

Several Cuban provinces suffering from less than average rainfall could see their reservoirs benefit from the extra rain.

The National Hurricane Center notes that a tropical storm warning is also in effect for southern Florida and the Bahamas.