A TROPICAL STORM WATCH is in effect for Jamaica as the developing area of low pressure over the west-central Caribbean Sea moves closer to the island. This means that tropical storm conditions pose a possible threat to Jamaica within 48 hours.

A FLASH FLOOD WARNING is in effect for low-lying and flood-prone areas of southern and eastern parishes, including Westmoreland, St Elizabeth, Manchester, Clarendon, St Catherine, Kingston, St
Andrew, St Thomas, Portland and St Mary.

A FLASH FLOOD WATCH remains in effect for other low-lying and flood-prone areas of the island.

At 7:00 p.m. Potential Tropical Cyclone Number 22 was centred near latitude 15.7 degrees North, longitude 81.4 degrees West. This is about 440 kilometres (270 miles) southwest of Negril Point or 550
kilometres (345 miles) west-southwest of Kingston, Jamaica.

The system is moving towards the north-northeast near 15 km/h (9 mph), and a northeastward motion is expected to begin tonight, with an increase in forward speed through the weekend. On the forecast track,
the centre of the system is expected to continue moving towards Jamaica tonight, across the island late on Friday, and towards southeastern Cuba and the Turks and Caicos Islands on Saturday.

Maximum sustained winds are near 55 km/h (35 mph), with higher gusts. Strengthening is forecast during the next few days, and the disturbance is expected to become a tropical storm on Friday.

While the potential tropical cyclone is in the vicinity of Jamaica, it is expected to produce 200-300 millimetres (7-12 inches) of locally heavy rainfall, and strong, gusty winds, across the island, tonight and tomorrow. Flooding will spread over southern and eastern parishes during the next 12-24 hours and landslides should be expected in vulnerable sections of the island.

Fishers on the cays and banks are advised to evacuate immediately and return to the mainland as the potential tropical cyclone is expected to move over Jamaica’s territorial waters by tomorrow. Other small
craft operators in our coastal waters are advised to return to port and those in port are advised not to venture out. Strong winds are expected to be out of the east tonight and reach near tropical storm force tomorrow
morning.

The Meteorological Service continues to monitor the progress of this system, and all interests are encouraged to pay special attention to further Releases. The next Bulletin on this system will be issued at
11:00 p.m. today.