A TROPICAL STORM WATCH continues for Jamaica as Tropical Storm Elsa moves closer to the Caribbean. This means that tropical storm conditions pose a possible threat to Jamaica within the next two days.
The Met Service says at 5:00 a.m. the centre of Tropical Storm Elsa was located near Latitude 12.7 degrees North, Longitude 58.6 degrees West, or about 1,970 kilometres east-southeast of Morant Point, Jamaica. This is also 110 kilometres east-southeast of Barbados.
Elsa is moving quickly towards the west-northwest near 44 km/h and this general motion is expected to continue during the next couple of days.
Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 95 km/h, with higher gusts, and weather service says some additional strengthening is forecast during the next 12-24 hours.
On its forecast track, the centre of Tropical Storm Elsa will move over the eastern Caribbean today and continue through the central Caribbean, south of Hispaniola, on Saturday before passing just east and north of Jamaica on Sunday morning.
Showers and thunderstorms, along with strong gusty winds, could begin to impact eastern sections of Jamaica as early as Saturday night.
Sea conditions associated with the tropical storm are expected to deteriorate over the next 24-36 hours.
All small craft operators including fishers from the cays and banks should this morning be arriving in port to start preparations for safe harbour ahead of the tropical storm.
The Meteorological Service says it continues to monitor the progress of this system, and all interests must pay special attention to further Releases.