Tropical Storm Watch issued for Jamaica

The Meteorological Service has issued a Tropical Storm Watch is now in effect for Jamaica as signs indicate that Tropical Storm Isaac could move closer to Jamaica.

A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions pose a possible threat to the island within 48 hours.

With the current forecast track being nudged slightly south of the original prediction, Tropical Storm Isaac could now pass closer to Jamaica’s northeast coastline than earlier projected on Saturday morning.

This would mean outbreaks of heavy showers and thunderstorms are likely on Saturday, accompanied by strong gusty winds reaching tropical storm force, mainly over northern and eastern parishes.

At 4:00 a.m. the centre of Tropical Storm Isaac was located near Latitude 16.1 degrees North, Longitude 70.0 degrees West, or about 685 kilometres (423 miles) east-southeast of Morant Point, Jamaica or 370 kilometres (230 miles) southeast of Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

The Met Service says Isaac is moving towards the west near 24 km/h (15 mph) and a turn towards the west-northwest is expected later today, followed by a turn toward the northwest tonight.

On the forecast track, the centre of Isaac will move near or over Hispaniola today and move near or over southwestern Cuba on Saturday.

Maximum sustained winds remain near 75 km/h (45 mph), with higher gusts, and some strengthening is forecast while the centre remains over water.

Tropical storm force winds now extend outward up to 295 km (185 miles) from of the centre.

Fishers on the cays and banks are strongly advised to evacuate immediately and start returning to the mainland.

Other small craft operators in our coastal waters are advised to return to port and small craft operators who are in port are advised not to venture out.

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