What does the latest tropical depression mean for the Hilton Head area? Here are the predictions

A cyclone brewing in the Caribbean will likely become Tropical Storm Rafael as it moves northwest toward Cuba. The strengthening storm posed no immediate threat to Beaufort County and the rest of the East Coast.

However, according to the National Hurricane Center, landfall on the central Gulf Coast could bring large amounts of rain to the Hilton Head Island area due to moisture being pushed over Florida and the southeastern United States. “Heavy rain” is expected in these areas from mid-week.

Meteorologists say rain is most likely to occur in Beaufort on Wednesday and Thursday, but skies should clear in time for the weekend. Although there is a 30% chance of rain on Election Day morning, the outlook is mostly sunny and temperatures will reach into the high 70s.

With winds of about 35 mph and steadily strengthening, Tropical Depression 18 is expected to strengthen into a tropical storm on Monday and into a hurricane by Wednesday. Models show the storm passing Jamaica on Wednesday, hanging over the Cayman Islands later in the day and reaching western Cuba on Wednesday. The storm could make landfall early Saturday between Louisiana and the western edge of the Florida Panhandle, but dry air and cooler water temperatures could cause it to weaken as it moves north.

Hurricane season ends on November 30, although tropical activity often continues into December. Experts predicted an above-average 2024 season with more than 20 named storms. Rafael would be the 17th named storm of 2024, already above the average of 14 per season.

Weekly forecast for Beaufort, SC

Tuesday: There is a 30 percent chance of rain, mostly before 1 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. East wind 7 to 10 mph.

Wednesday: There is a 30 percent chance of rain, mostly after 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 81. East wind 6 to 9 mph.

Thursday: Showers likely, mainly after 1pm. Cloudy, with a high near 77. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Friday: The chance that it will rain is 20 percent. Partly sunny, with a high near 78.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 78.

Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 79.