Watching several areas in the tropics | FOX 26 Tropical Weather Forecast

Tropics remain busy in this final month of hurricane season with three areas being monitored. The first, Tropical Depression 18, has formed into Tropical Storm Rafael in the west-central Caribbean. It should strengthen to a hurricane by Wednesday. Jamaica is under a tropical storm warning and a hurricane warning has been issued for the Cayman Islands. Models show this system tracking into the eastern Gulf of Mexico by Wednesday and Thursday. Models are uncertain as to where "Rafael" will head as it nears the northern Gulf coast late this week. But it does appear that it will weaken some as it encounters more shear & will most likely stay just east of the Houston area. Another disturbance near the Leeward Islands in the SW Atlantic has a low chance to become a tropical system over the next week. Finally, Patty has weakened and become post-tropical in the north Atlantic. The remnants of Patty could still bring some heavy rain to Portugal & Western Spain. Keep checking back for additional updates.