Tropical Storm Watch - Bulletin 3 From Meteorological Services Of Jamaica

 

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Jamaica as Potential Tropical Cyclone Number 15 moves westward over the central Caribbean Sea and offshore the island’s south coast. This means that tropical storm conditions pose a possible threat to Jamaica within 48 hours.

At 10:00 p.m. the disturbance was centred near latitude 15.8 degrees North, longitude 74.9 degrees West, or about 270 kilometres (170 miles) south-southeast of Morant Point, Jamaica.

The system is moving towards the west near 19 km/h (12 mph) and a westward to west-northwestward motion is expected during the next several days.

Maximum sustained winds are near 65 km/h (40 mph), with higher gusts, and slow strengthening is expected through Monday. The system could become a tropical storm tonight or on Monday. Faster 

strengthening is expected to start on Monday night and the system could be near hurricane intensity on Tuesday night or Wednesday. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 185 kilometres (115 miles) from the centre.

The disturbance is expected to pass south of Jamaica on Monday, south of the Cayman Islands on Tuesday and then approach Belize in Central America on Wednesday as a hurricane.

Fishers on the cays and banks are reminded to exercise extreme caution at this time. Small craft operators in coastal waters are advised to return to port and those in port are advised not to venture out. Strong northerly winds tonight will increase to near tropical storm force tomorrow morning while becoming northeasterly and then easterly.

During its passage off Jamaica’s southern coast, the system has the potential to produce 50-100 millimetres (2-4 inches) of rainfall and strong, gusty winds, starting over eastern and southern parishes as early as Monday morning. 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 5:00 a.m. tomorrow.

__________________________________________