Tropical Storm In Effect For Jamaica
A Tropical Storm Watch is currently in effect for Jamaica as Hurricane Hunter aircraft are investigating Potential Tropical Cyclone Number 15 just south of the island.
This means that tropical storm conditions continue to pose a possible threat to Jamaica.
At 7:00 a.m. the disturbance was centred near latitude 15.6 degrees North, longitude 76.7 degrees West, or about 265 kilometres (165 miles) south of Kingston or 265 kilometres (165 miles) southsouthwest of Morant Point, Jamaica.
The system is moving towards the west near 19 km/h (12 mph) and a westward to westnorthwestward motion is expected over the next few days. On the forecast track, the centre will continue moving south of Jamaica today and pass south of the Cayman Islands tomorrow before approaching Central America on Wednesday.
Maximum sustained winds remain near 65 km/h (40 mph), with higher gusts, and the disturbance is expected to become a tropical storm later today. Strengthening is forecast during the next couple of days and the system could be near hurricane intensity by Wednesday. Tropical storm force
winds extend outward up to 185 kilometres (115 miles) from the centre.
Fishers on the cays and banks are reminded to exercise extreme caution at this time due to the dangerous sea conditions. Tropical storm force winds are expected over southern offshore waters today.
The system has the potential to also produce 50-100 millimetres (2-4 inches) of rainfall and strong, gusty winds reaching near tropical storm force, starting over eastern and southern parishes later today. Residents should be on the alert for possible flash flooding in flood-prone areas.
The Meteorological Service continues to monitor the progress of this system, and all interests are encouraged to pay special attention to further Releases. The next Bulletin on this system will be issued at 11:00 a.m. today.
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