TS Richard Born South of Cuba

By Circles Robinson

HAVANA TIMES, Oct. 21 — Tropical Storm Richard formed on Thursday in the western Caribbean northeast of the Honduras-Nicaragua border, southwest of Jamaica, and south of Gran Cayman and western Cuba, informed the Cuban Meteorological Institute (INSMET) this afternoon.

Thus far not projected by the National Hurricane Center (NHC) as a threat to Cuba, Richard packs winds of 65 kph (40 mph) and is moving southeast at 6 mph (9 kmh). The NHC does see outer bands of the storm bringing rain to the far western tip of Pinar del Rio.

The NHC forecasts Richard becoming a hurricane by early Saturday and moving on a path that will take it north of Honduras for a possible landing on the Mexican Yucatan by Monday.

INSMET is expected to issue its second advisory on TS Richard later this afternoon.