Ernesto now poorly organized, but tropical storm warning continues for Jamaica

Latest weather forecasts show that Tropical Storm Ernesto is now poorly organised.

However, a tropical storm warning remains in effect for Jamaica as the system moves south of the island.

The Met Service says satellite imagery and aircraft reconnaissance indicate that Ernesto has become poorly organized because of hostile atmospheric conditions in the western Caribbean.

This development, along with the rapid movement of the system toward the west, reduces the chance of Jamaica being severely impacted by the tropical storm.

However, periods of heavy rainfall and strong, gusty winds from outer bands are still possible this afternoon through tonight while Ernesto remains south of the island.

As a result the Tropical Storm Warning remains in effect.

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 today.

At 10:00 a.m. the centre of Tropical Storm Ernesto was located near Latitude 15.0 degrees North, Longitude 77.1 degrees West; about 330 kilometres (205 miles) south of Morant Point, Jamaica.

Ernesto is moving towards the west near 37 km per hour (23 mph) and this motion is expected to continue today and tonight with a decrease in forward speed.

On this track, the centre of the tropical storm will pass near 300 kilometres (185 miles) south of Jamaica today before moving north of Honduras on Monday.

Maximum sustained winds remain near 85 per hour (50 mph), with higher gusts, and some strengthening is possible during the next 48 hours.

Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 205 km (125 miles) from the centre of Ernesto.

All small craft operators, including fishers from the cays and banks, are reminded 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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