Two new weather systems in the tropical Atlantic are edging towards the Caribbean chain of islands, and from early indications are on a path that could potentially bring at least one in the vicinity of the Cayman Islands.
The US National Hurricane Centre says environmental conditions appear generally favourable for the development of one of those systems identified as Invest 97L, with a tropical depression likely to form during the next few days.
That system is moving west-northwestward at about 20 mph and residents in the eastern Caribbean Windward and Leeward Islands are advised to closely monitor its movement and development.
It is likely to make its presence felt in their local area by this Friday as it heads into the Caribbean Sea on a general west-north-westerly track.
The probabilities for formation range from a medium level of 60 per cent by this weekend to 80 per cent early next week.
Another system of disorganised showers and thunderstorms continue in association with a tropical wave located just east of the Lesser Antilles.
The National Hurricane Centre says significant development of this system is unlikely while it moves quickly westward to west-northwestward at 20 to 25 mph, passing through the Lesser Antilles and then across the eastern and central Caribbean Sea by this weekend.
Forecasters say regardless of development it could bring heavy rainfall to portions of the Lesser Antilles but its chances of formation are rated as low - around 10 per cent.
While these two systems are being monitored from a distance in Cayman, the National Weather Service(CINWS) and Hazard Management Cayman are updating that current local conditions indicate cloudiness and showers associated with a tropical wave just west of the Cayman area.
This is expected to continue influencing the local weather but reducing as the wave moves towards the west at five knots.
Local radar images show scattered showers in and around the Cayman area moving Northwest with partly cloudy to cloudy skies presenting a 40% chance of showers and some thunder.
Winds are blowing east to southeast at 10 to 15 knots and seas moderate with wave heights of three to five feet.
These conditions were forecast to continue through to Friday.
So far in 2021, following last year's record-breaking 2020, there have been four named storms; pre-season Ana which formed on May 22nd, and Bill, Claudette and Danny which developed and fizzled out since the official start of the season on June 1st.
The next named storm will be Elsa.
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