Three days of thunderstorms, as Met Service issues TS Watch

Current developments 425km southeast of Kingston are enough for the island’s Meteorological Service to issue a Tropical Storm Watch at 4:00 pm today.

This means unstable weather, windy conditions and increased rainfall are expected mainly across northeastern and southern parishes starting on Monday afternoon, stated the Met Service.

“A Tropical Storm Watch is now in effect for Jamaica as the area of low pressure over the central Caribbean Sea becomes better organised while moving westward and has the potential to develop into a tropical cyclone by tonight,” the bulletin read.

“The system is moving towards the west-northwest near 17km/h (10 mph) and this motion is expected to continue over the next several days with a gradual turn to the west by Tuesday night,” and “is expected to become a tropical storm tonight and be near hurricane intensity Tuesday night.”

“On the forecast track,” it added “the disturbance is expected to be passing over the waters south of Jamaica on Monday and south of the Cayman islands on Tuesday before approaching Belize in Central America on Wednesday as a hurricane.”

Fishers and other small craft operators are being advised to remain inland while those already at sea should return to shore immediately.

5PM EDT Sunday 30 October: Here are the Key Messages for Potential Tropical Cyclone Fifteen (#PTC15) located over the central Caribbean Sea.

Tropical Storm Watches have been issued for Jamaica & Grand Cayman Island.

Initial Advisory: https://t.co/R6k2SdXo1y pic.twitter.com/5apAhHpD48

— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) October 30, 2022

The system will likely produce heavy rainfall and strong gusty winds over eastern and southern parishes, starting as early as Monday morning with persons living in areas prone to flooding to be on high alert.