Cuba braces for impact at its western end of the Hurricane Ianwhich the authorities anticipate will leave heavy rains, strong winds and floods in coastal areas.
According to the Meteorological Institute (Insmet) of Cuba, the hurricane -the fourth of the cyclonic season- could reach at least category 3 on the Saffir-Simpson scale by the time he arrives in the country.
Ian has strengthened significantly in recent hours thanks to favorable conditions, according to experts, who highlight the high temperatures in the Caribbean Sea.
The hurricane already presents maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometers per hour (km/h) and higher gusts.
According to Insmet, Ian will cause winds of between 65 and 80 km/h in western Cuba this Monday afternoon, winds that will gradually increase and will extend to much of the western half during the night.
In the westernmost provinces of Cuba, such as Pinar del Rio and Artemisathe Insmet predicts hurricane winds tonight, of more than 120 km/h.
It is expected that the eye of the hurricane reaches the country on Monday nightwith special effects on Isla de la Juventud and Pinar del Río.
However, from the end of this morning the cloudiness will increase throughout the west of the country, with rains that are estimated to be heavy in the southwest and widespread in the center from late evening.
The sea will also be affected by this phenomenon, with strong swells from tonight on the southwestern coast and the predictable flooding of coastal areas in the early hours of Tuesday.
The authorities have asked citizens to be alert and follow the recommendations. Educational and labor centers have taken measures. Some land and sea transport lines have already been suspended.
The Civil Defense General Staff decreed this Sunday the "informative" for the entire west and part of the center of Cuba, the first of four stages established by this center in charge of preparing to confront emergency situations and meteorological events.
The current cyclone season in the Atlantic (from June 1 to November 30) has been described as "very active" with a forecast of up to 17 cyclonesnine of them with the possibility of reaching the hurricane category.
The Insmet has predicted that with an 85% probability, one of those hurricanes could affect Cuba.
The last time a large hurricane affected Cuba was in 2017, when Irma crossed the north coast of the island from east to west, leaving 10 dead and material losses officially valued at 13,185 million dollars.