Potential Tropical Cyclone 22 forms in the Caribbean

ORLANDO, Fla. — Potential Tropical Cyclone 22 formed in the west-central Caribbean Sea on Thursday afternoon, the National Hurricane Center said.

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The disturbance is forecast to become a tropical storm Friday.

Tropical storm conditions are possible across Jamaica, southeastern Cuba, Haiti, the southeastern Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands through Saturday.

Read: Disturbances could show tropical development near Florida this week

Tropical storm watches are now in effect for those areas.

Heavy rains will affect portions of Panama, Costa Rica, Jamaica, southeastern Cuba and Hispaniola through Monday morning.

“This rainfall is likely to produce flash flooding along with mudslides in areas of higher terrain,” the NHC said.

Read: Keep your umbrella nearby: Central Florida experiencing widespread showers, storms

Watch chief meteorologist Tom Terry’s live updates on the system on Channel 9 Eyewitness News.

And download our free WFTV weather app to stay informed about the system’s development.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

4 pm EST: Tropical Storm Watches have been issued for Potential Tropical Cyclone Twenty-Two. Here are the Key Messages. https://t.co/tW4KeGe9uJ pic.twitter.com/HTAZ4rfNYn
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) November 16, 2023