A TROPICAL STORM WARNING remains in effect for Jamaica

July 3, 2021 2322 Hours EST

At 10:00 p.m. the centre of Tropical Storm Elsa was located near Latitude 17.9 degrees North, Longitude 75.3 degrees West, or about 97 kilometres (60 miles) east of Morant Point, Jamaica. 

Elsa is now moving towards the west-northwest near 28 km/h (17 mph), and an additional decrease in forward speed is expected tonight and on Sunday, followed by a turn towards the northwest on Sunday night or Monday.

On the forecast track, Elsa will move away from the southwestern peninsula of Haiti closer to Jamaica tonight and on Sunday morning and over portions of eastern Cuba later on Sunday.  By Monday, Elsa is expected to move across central and western Cuba.
 
Maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 100 km/h (65 mph), with higher gusts.  Little change in strength is forecast until Sunday afternoon when some slight strengthening is possible as Elsa approaches the south-central coast of Cuba. 

Gradual weakening is forecast on Sunday night and Monday while Elsa is expected to move over Cuba.  Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 205 km (125 miles) mainly to the north of the centre.

Weather conditions over Jamaica have already begun to deteriorate with Elsa’s outer band producing showers and thunderstorms over sections of mainly eastern parishes.  Rainfall is expected to spread across most parishes tonight and on Sunday morning as  the centre of the tropical storm moves closer to the island.  Flash flooding is likely in low-lying and flood prone areas throughout the night with 75-150 millimetres (3-6 inches) of rainfall in the forecast.

Strong winds, reaching to near tropical-storm-force, are also expected as Elsa remains close to Jamaica for at least the next 6-12 hours.  These will generate 1-metre (3-foot) storm surges along coastal areas of northeastern parishes.

Small craft operators, including fishers from the cays and banks, are reminded to remain in safe harbour until all warning messages have been lifted and sea conditions have returned to normal.

The Meteorological Service continues to monitor the progress of this system and all interests must pay special attention to further Releases. 

The next Bulletin on Tropical Storm Elsa will be issued at 2:00 a.m. on Sunday.


For further information, please dial 116.
See also our website:  http://metservice.gov.jm