Hurricane Season!

As of the latest update, Hurricane Paloma was located approximately 30 miles (48 km.) south of the eastern end of Grand Cayman Island, and was moving to the north-northeast at about 6 mph. (10 km/h). A gradual turn to the northeast is forecast to occur overnight, and motion on that general course and speed is expected over the next couple of days.

Paloma has strengthened to a Category 3 hurricane, with maximum sustained winds now up to 115 mph. (185 km/h). Hurricane force winds extend about 25 miles (40 km.) from the storm center, and tropical storm force winds extend about 120 miles (193 km.) from center. Additional strengthening is possible through Saturday morning. Afterward, gradual weakening is expected to begin by late Saturday.

Rainfall totals of 5 to 10 inches (127 to 254 mm.) with isolated totals of up to 15 inches (381 mm.) are possible over the Cayman Islands, and central and eastern Cuba. Flash flooding and mudslides are possible, especially in mountainous terrain.

Storm surge of 5 to 7 feet (1.52 to 2.13 m.) accompanied by heavy, dangerous, battering surf is expected near the storm center in the Cayman Islands. Storm surge of 8 to 12 feet (2.44 to 3.66 m.) near and to the east of where Paloma makes landfall on the southern coast of Cuba.

Hurricane warnings are in effect for the Cayman Islands, and the Cuban provinces of Sancti Spiritus, Ciego de Avila, Camaguey, and Las Tunas. A tropical storm warning and a hurricane watch are in effect for the Cuban province of Granma. Storm preparations within the warning area should be rushed to completion.

Residents of and visitors to the remaining Cuban provinces and the central Bahamas are urged to closely monitor the progress of this storm.

As of the latest update, Hurricane Paloma was located approximately 40 miles (64 km.) southwest of Little Cayman, and was moving to the northeast at about 8 mph. (13 km/h). Motion on this general course and speed is expected over the next couple of days.

Is it tracking northeast enough to keep it off the mainland?

It's currently projected to cross Cuba and then head into the Bahamas. That's as far as the projections go at the moment.

As of the latest update, Hurricane Paloma was located approximately 75 miles (121 km.) south-southwest of Camaguey, Cuba, and was moving to the northeast at about 10 mph. (16 km/h). Motion on this general course is expected through Sunday, with a decrease in forward speed after making landfall.

Paloma has strengthened significantly, and is now a very dangerous Category 4 hurricane. Maximum sustained winds are now up to 145 mph. (233 km/h). Hurricane force winds extend about 30 miles (48 km.) from the storm center, and tropical storm force winds extend about 115 miles (185 km.) from center. Little change in strength is forecast until landfall, then steady weakening should occur over the next day or two.

Rainfall totals of 5 to 10 inches (127 to 254 mm.) with isolated totals of up to 20 inches (508 mm.) are possible over central and eastern Cuba. Life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides are possible. In the central Bahamas, 5 to 10 inches (127 to 254 mm.) of rainfall are possible. Rainfall totals of 1 to 3 inches (25 to 76 mm.) are possible across Jamaica, and additional rainfall of 1 to 2 inches (25 to 51 mm.) is possible for Little Cayman and Cayman Brac.

A potentially catastrophic storm surge of 20 to 25 feet (6.10 to 7.62 m.), accompanied by heavy, dangerous, battering surf is expected near and to the east of where Paloma makes landfall on the southern coast of Cuba. Storm surge in the Cayman Islands will gradually subside tonight.

Hurricane warnings are in effect for Little Cayman and Cayman Brac, and the Cuban provinces of Ciego de Avila, Camaguey, Las Tunas, Granma, and Holguin. Tropical storm warnings are in effect for the Cuban province of Santiago de Cuba, and the central Bahamas, including Cat Island, the Exumas, Long Island, Rum Cay, San Salvador, Acklins Island, Crooked Island, and the Ragged Islands. Storm preparations within the warning area should be rushed to completion.

Residents of and visitors to the remaining Cuban provinces and elsewhere in the Bahamas are urged to closely monitor the progress of this storm.

Hurricane Paloma made landfall near Santa Cruz del Sur, Cuba shortly before 6:30pm. EST.

Paloma has weakened to a tropical depression.

As of the latest update, Tropical Depression Paloma was located approximately 15 miles (24 km.) south-southwest of Camaguey, Cuba, and was drifting slowly to the north at about 1 mph. (2 km/h). This slow generally northward drift is expected to continue over the next day or so.

Paloma has drastically weakened, with maximum sustained winds now down to 35 mph. (56 km/h). Additional weakening is expected, and Paloma should become a weak remnant low pressure system tonight or early tomorrow. 

Additional rainfall of 1 to 2 inches (25 to 51 mm.) is possible over portions of central and eastern Cuba, and the Bahamas.

Did this storm fizzle out unusually fast for such a big storm?  Doesn't sound like they are giving much of a chance for it to regain momentum.

Not necessarily. It basically got stalled out over mountainous terrain, which is devastating to a hurricane. As slow as it's moving, it will probably spend all of its energy and lose its tropical characteristics before it reaches the sea.

As of the latest update, Tropical Depression Paloma was located approximately 40 miles (64 km.) north of Camaguey, Cuba, and was moving to the north at about 3 mph. (5 km/h). Motion on this general course and speed is expected to continue over the next day or so.

Paloma has weakened further, and maximum sustained winds are now down to 30 mph. (48 km/h). Continued weakening is forecast over the next 24 hours. 

Additional rainfall of 1 to 2 inches (25 to 51 mm.) is possible over portions of central and eastern Cuba, and the Bahamas.

This was the final advisory on Paloma.

We are now entering the final two weeks of this year's Hurricane Season. Let's all hope we've seen the final storm of the season. *knocks on wood* Keep your fingers crossed.