Severe weather alert issued ahead of general election

Increased rainfall, thunderstorms and gusty winds are predicted, said the Meteorological Service of Jamaica, which has issued a severe weather alert until 5:00 pm Tuesday.

An area of low pressure associated with a strong Tropical Wave currently across the central Caribbean is expected to move into the vicinity of the island early Tuesday morning.

Satellite imagery indicates that the system has a large area of showers and thunderstorm extending across the central Caribbean.

Additionally, the system could become a Tropical Depression during the next 48 hours as it moves westward and south of Jamaica, which may have an impact on the general election set for this Thursday.

More than one million Jamaicans are eligible to vote, but only a few hundreds of thousands are expected to cast their votes at polling stations across the country to determine which political party should govern the country over the next term.

There are only 2 hours left until eastern parishes of Jamaica begin to feel the effects of the strong tropical wave currently east of the country. It is also getting better organized. pic.twitter.com/YQu9X4A9xX

— Weather Jamaica (@weatherjamaica) September 1, 2020

As the system moves westward, projections are for cloudy conditions with periods of showers and thunderstorms, which may be heavy at times, along with strong gusty winds to affect sections of most parishes for the next two days, lingering into Thursday.

Sea conditions will deteriorate in the vicinity of showers and thunderstorms due to gusty winds. Fishers and other marine interests should exercise caution.