Experts raised the likelihood to 80 percent the formation of a tropical depression, noting that the weather event would later become a storm as it advances northward through the Caribbean Sea, having high odds of hitting Cuba.

Washington.- The U.S. National Hurricane Center in its warning on this system, pointed out that the AL97 disturbance of the current Atlantic and Caribbean cyclonic season is showing disorganized rainfalls and thunderstorms in association with a wide area of low pressure over the southwestern Caribbean Sea.

The NHC alerted that a gradual development of this system is expected, and a tropical depression is likely to form within the next couple of days as it moves north-northwest over the central and western Caribbean Sea.

The Center further warned that regardless of development, locally heavy rainfalls are possible over portions of adjacent land areas of the western Caribbean, including Jamaica, Hispaniola, and Cuba.

The weather entity added that those interested in the western Caribbean Sea should monitor this system's progress, as experts could issue tropical storm watches or warnings for portions of the area today or tonight. The current hurricane season, which began on June 1 and will officially end on November 30, is in full force in its final days.

Meteorologists warned just a few days ago that this month at the end of the cycle could be very active, something unusual for the end of the period since atmospheric conditions such as low wind shear and record high ocean temperatures are ideal for the development of low-pressure systems that can become hurricanes.

This is associated with the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO), an atmospheric wave that is generated in the tropics and travels around the world for a 30 to 60-day term. (PL)