Tropical Storm Fred forms in the Caribbean, with the United States in its path

Tropical storm warnings are in effect for Puerto Rico, including Culebra and Vieques, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and parts of the Dominican Republic. Tropical storm watches include the southeastern Bahamas, the Turks and Caicos Islands, parts of Haiti, and the north coast of the Dominican Republic, according to the CNH.

Fred is not currently expected to turn into a hurricane, but the forecast is likely to change as the storm progresses, CNN meteorologist Michael Guy said.

By Friday, the storm is expected to reach southern Florida and potentially affect the Florida Keys, Guy said.

Dangerous surf and rip currents head for the Caribbean

The system will bring torrential rains to parts of the Caribbean throughout the week, raising concerns about flash floods and mudslides in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico.

“The greatest threat of flood impact will be in the eastern and southeastern parts of Puerto Rico,” NHC said.

The Leeward Islands, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands are expected to experience rainfall of two to four inches with isolated amounts of up to six inches. The Dominican Republic could also get three to six inches. Smaller totals of one to three inches are forecast for the Windward Islands.

Dangerous surf and rip currents are also impacting the Caribbean and will continue in warning and watch areas.

Tropical storm force winds and heavy rainfall threaten a wider region across Hispaniola, the Bahamas and Cuba in the latter part of the week as the storm traverses the northern Caribbean.

As the system approaches and potentially moves over Cuba, terrestrial interaction could potentially weaken the storm considerably. There is still uncertainty about the path of the disturbance, but some models show the path of the storm on the island, which would inhibit the strengthening.

If the potential cyclone follows a more northerly course in open water, there is still the possibility of further strengthening, but forecasts are still uncertain at the stage of storm formation.

“Over the next few days, the storm will be affected by Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic and likely won’t get much stronger, but after that there will be plenty of hot water for it to get stronger,” the meteorologist said. by CNN Chad Meyers.