NEWS RELEASE

Sunday, August 13, 2017 at 5:00 a.m.

*** ... DEPRESSION EXPECTED TO BECOME A TROPICAL STORM LATER TODAY … FORECAST TO REMAIN EAST OF THE UNITED STATES... ***

At 4:00 a.m. the centre of Tropical Depression Eight was located near latitude 26.5 North, longitude 70.9 west, or about 500 km north northeast of the southeastern Bahamas.

The Depression is moving toward the north northwest near 22 km/h and this general motion is expected to continue through today. A turn toward the north is forecast to occur on tonight, followed by a turn toward the north-northeast on Monday.

Maximum sustained winds are near 55 km/h with higher gusts. Gradual strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours, and the Depression is expected to become a tropical storm later today.

Tropical Depression Eight is not a threat to Jamaica.

The Meteorological Service will continue to monitor this system.

NCH