KINGSTON, Jamaica - The Meteorological Service has continued the
Tropical Storm warning for Jamaica as Ernesto continues to move towards
the west and closer to the island. 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 in 36 hours or
less.
At 1:00 p.m. the centre of Tropical Storm Ernesto was located near
Latitude 14.5 degrees North, Longitude 69.3 degrees West; about 820
kilometres (510 miles) east-southeast of Morant Point, Jamaica or 440
kilometres (270 miles) south of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
1/1
|
Ernesto is now moving towards the west near 30 km/h (18 mph) and this
general motion is expected to continue during the next 48 hours.
Maximum sustained winds are near 85 km/h (50 mph), with higher gusts, and no significant change in strength is expected today.
Intensification to hurricane strength is, however, possible on Sunday as
the tropical storm begins to move south of Jamaica; hence, the warning
for the island has been upgraded. Tropical storm force winds now extend
outward up to 165 km (105 miles) mainly north and east of the centre of
Ernesto.
Satellite imagery indicates that the outer rain-bands of Tropical Storm
Ernesto extend over a large area north of its centre and, on the current
forecast track, these could begin to influence the weather over Jamaica
by Sunday morning. Periods of heavy rainfall and strong, gusty winds
occasionally reaching tropical storm strength, could be experienced
mainly over southern parishes on Sunday and Monday.
All small craft operators, including fishers from the cays and banks,
should by now have completed all the necessary safety precautions and
are advised to remain in safe harbour until all warning messages have
been discontinued and wind and sea conditions have returned to normal.