Tropical Storm Watch issued for Jamaica

A Tropical Storm Watch is now in effect for Jamaica as Tropical Storm Ernesto begins to strengthen while moving towards the central Caribbean.

This means that tropical storm conditions pose a possible threat to the island within 48 hours.

The Met Service says at 4:00 a.m. the centre of Tropical Storm Ernesto was located near Latitude 14.1 degrees North, Longitude 67.2 degrees West; about 1075 kilometres (670 miles) east-southeast of Morant Point, Jamaica or 490 kilometres (305 miles) south-southwest of San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Ernesto is moving towards the west near 30 km/h (18 mph) and this general motion is expected to continue during the next day or two.

Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 95 km/h (60 mph), with higher gusts, and gradual strengthening is forecast during the next couple of days.

Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 165 km (105 miles) from the centre.

The centre of the Tropical Storm will pass south of Hispaniola today and begin to move over the seas south of Jamaica on Sunday. Ernesto is expected to become a hurricane by Sunday afternoon while located near 240 kilometres (150 miles) away from Jamaica’s southern coastline.

It is forecast that rainfall and thunderstorm activity associated with Tropical Storm Ernesto are expected to start affecting Jamaica as early as Sunday afternoon and could be accompanied by periods of strong, gusty winds, mainly over southern parishes.

All small craft operators, including fishers from the cays and banks, should be arriving in port to start preparations for safe harbour and are reminded not to venture out at this time.

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