A risk posed by a low pressure system over the Northwestern Caribbean Sea prompted the issuance of Watches and Warnings for Yucatan and western Cuba on Monday morning.  The low pressure system was designated as Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine by the U.S. National Hurricane Center.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine was located at latitude 17.6°N and longitude 82.0°W which put the center about 350 miles (565 km) south-southeast of the western tip of Cuba.  Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine was moving toward the north at 6 m.p.h. (10 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 30 m.p.h. (50 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1004 mb.

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from Cabo Catoche to Tulum, Mexico.  The Hurricane Watch includes Cancun and Cozumel.  A Hurricane Watch is also in effect for the Cuban province of Pinar del Rio.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Rio Lagartos to Tulum, Mexico.  The Tropical Storm Warning includes Cancun and Cozumel.  A Tropical Storm Warning was also in effect for the Cuban provinces of Artemisa, Pinar del Rio and Isle of Youth.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center changed the designation of former Invest 97L to Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine on Monday morning.  The low pressure system still had a large asymmetrical circulation.  There were not many thunderstorms near the center of Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine.  Thunderstorms were occurring in bands developed in the eastern side of the low pressure system.  Bands in the western side of Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine will move through an environment favorable for the formation of a tropical cyclone during the next 24 hours.  The low pressure system will be over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge over the western Caribbean Sea.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine is likely to form into a tropical depression or a tropical storm during the next 24 hours.

A reconnaissance plane is on its way to investigate Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine.

Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine will move around the western end of a high pressure system over the western Atlantic Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine toward the north-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine will move approach Yucatan and the western end of Cuba on Tuesday afternoon.  Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine is likely to move over the Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday.

Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine could be a hurricane when it reaches Yucatan and western Cuba.  It will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine is likely to affect Florida on Thursday.  It is likely to be a hurricane when it reaches Florida.