Jamaica under tropical storm warning

A tropical storm warning is now in effect for Jamaica as the Area of Low Pressure over the west-central Caribbean Sea becomes better organised while moving closer to the island and has the potential to develop into a tropical cyclone by Monday morning. 

This means that tropical storm conditions pose a possible threat to Jamaica within 36 hours.

At 4:00 p.m. Potential Tropical Cyclone Number 18 was centred near latitude 13.0 degrees North, longitude 77.1 degrees West. 

This is about 600 kilometres (373 miles) southwest of Negril Point or 555 kilometres (345 miles) south of Kingston, Jamaica.

The system is moving towards the northeast near 11 km/h (7 mph). 

A turn to the north and then northwest is expected over the next few days.

Maximum sustained winds are near 55 km/h (35 mph) with higher gusts. 

This system is expected to become a tropical depression tonight and steady strengthening is forecast.

On the forecast track, the centre of the system is expected to continue moving towards Jamaica tonight and be near Jamaica by late Monday evening, and near or over the Cayman Islands Tuesday and Wednesday.

While the potential tropical cyclone is in the vicinity of Jamaica, it is expected to produce locally heavy rainfall and strong, gusty winds, primarily over eastern and southern parishes tomorrow and Tuesday.

Landslides should also be anticipated in vulnerable sections of the island.

For the marine areas, the forecast is for widespread showers and thunderstorms, which may be heavy at times, with strong gusty winds up to tropical storm force to affect all marine zones on Monday, especially inshore and offshore the south coast.

All small craft operators including fishers from the cays and banks should be arriving in port to start preparations for safe harbour.

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