Tropical storm warning now in effect for Jamaica

The Meteorological Service has upgraded the Tropical Storm Watch to a Tropical Storm warning for Jamaica as Ernesto continues to move towards the west and closer to the island.

This means that tropical storm conditions, including possible sustained wind speeds of 34-63 knots or 63-118 km/h, are expected for sections of the island in 36 hours.

However, the Met Service says Ernesto could become a hurricane on Sunday as the storm begins to move south of Jamaica.

At 10:00 a.m. the centre of Tropical Storm Ernesto was located near Latitude 14.4 degrees North, Longitude 68.7 degrees West; about 900 kilometres (560 miles) east-southeast of Morant Point, Jamaica or 475 kilometres (305 miles) south-southeast of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

The Met Service says Ernesto is now moving towards the west-northwest near 30 km/h (18 mph) and this general motion is expected to continue today and tomorrow.

Maximum sustained winds have slightly decreased to near 85 km/h (50 mph), with higher gusts, and no significant change in strength is expected today.

Tropical storm force winds now extend outward up to 165 km (105 miles) mainly north and east of the centre of Ernesto.

Satellite imagery indicates that the outer rain-bands of Tropical Storm Ernesto extend over a large area north of its centre and, on the current forecast track, these could begin to influence the weather over Jamaica by Sunday morning.

The Met Service says periods of heavy rainfall and strong, gusty winds occasionally reaching tropical storm strength, could be experienced mainly over southern parishes on Sunday and Monday.

All small craft operators, including fishers from the cays and banks, should by now have completed all the necessary safety precautions and are advised to remain in safe harbour until all warning messages have been discontinued and wind and sea conditions have returned to normal.

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