As the poorly organized area of disturbed weather remains in the vicinity of Jamaica, a TROPICAL STORM WATCH is in effect for the island.  This means that tropical storm conditions pose a possible threat to Jamaica. 

A FLASH FLOOD WARNING is also effective 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 for other low-lying and flood-prone areas of the island.

At 4:00 a.m. Potential Tropical Cyclone Number 22 was centred near latitude 16.3 degrees North, longitude 80.3 degrees West.  This is about 307 kilometres (191 miles) southwest of Negril Point or 415 kilometres (260 miles) west-southwest of Kingston, Jamaica.

The system is moving towards the northeast near 17 km/h (10 mph), and this motion is expected to continue with increasing forward speed through the weekend.  On the forecast track, the centre of the system is expected to move across Jamaica later today, and over southeastern Cuba, the southeastern Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands on Saturday.

Maximum sustained winds are near 55 km/h (35 mph), with higher gusts.  Some strengthening is forecast during the next couple of days, and the disturbance could become a tropical storm later today or tonight.

The potential tropical cyclone remains poorly organized; however, it is expected to produce 200-300 millimetres (7-12 inches) of locally heavy rainfall, and strong, gusty winds, across Jamaica today, especially over southern and eastern parishes.  This will result in flooding in affected areas and landslides are also likely.

All small craft operators, including fishers from the cays and banks, should by now be in port and are urged to complete their necessary safety precautions without delay.

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 8:00 a.m. today.