Zeta Tropical Storm sets new record

Zeta Tropical Storm, the 27th of this cyclonic season (June 1-November 30), formed on Sunday at the western edge of Pinar del Rio Cuban province and, specialists deem it sets a new record.

According to information released by Cuba's Institute of Meteorology, it is the first time that such a number of tropical storms have formed so early in a season, the previous date was November 29, 2005.

At 2:00 a.m. local time, the center of Zeta was estimated at 18.5 degrees north latitude and 83.5 degrees west longitude, a position that places it about 410 kilometers south-southeast of Cape San Antonio, the western edge of Pinar del Rio province; while maximum sustained winds of up to 65 kilometers per hour are reported, with higher gusts.

Experts forecast that in the next 12 to 24 hours the tropical storm will move very slowly towards the north-northwest, gaining somewhat more in organization and intensity.

Meteorologists warn that the rainy areas will continue for the rest of Sunday and Monday over the west and center of Cuba, which can be heavy and intense rainfalls in some locations.

Away from the Zeta traffic center, showers and thunderstorms occurred during the evening and early morning in areas of the southern coast of Ciego de Avila, Camagüey and Granma provinces.