KINGSTON, Jamaica – As Tropical Storm Sandy continues on a path toward Jamaica, the Meteorological Service has maintained the HURRICANE WARNING for the island.
This means that the following dangerous effects of a hurricane are expected to affect Jamaica in 36 hours or less:
* Dangerously high water or a combination of dangerously high water and exceptionally high waves, even though winds expected may be less than hurricane force;
* Average winds 64 knots (118 km/h) or higher;
At 4:00 p.m. the centre of Tropical Storm Sandy was located near Latitude 14.3 degrees North, Longitude 77.6 degrees West, or about 420 kilometres (260 miles) south-southwest of Kingston, Jamaica or 290 kilometres (180 miles) south of the Pedro Cays.
Sandy is moving towards the north-northeast near 9 km/h (6 mph) and this general motion is expected to continue at a faster forward speed today and tomorrow. On this forecast track, the centre of Sandy will reach the southern coast of Jamaica (in the vicinity of Clarendon and St. Catherine) near midday Wednesday, then across the island, exiting the island (via St. Ann) heading towards eastern Cuba by Wednesday evening.
Maximum sustained winds remain near 85 km/h (50 mph), with higher gusts, and Sandy is expected to strengthen into a hurricane while approaching Jamaica tomorrow morning. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 165 kilometres (105 miles), mainly east of the centre.
Rainfall, associated with Tropical Storm Sandy is forecast to increase this evening, tonight and tomorrow morning producing rainfall amounts in excess of 150 millimetres per day; hence, flash flooding is expected. Hurricane-force winds will gradually develop during Wednesday morning and could generate storm surge of 1-2 metres (3-7 feet) along Jamaica’s southeastern coastline. Periods of heavy rainfall and gusty winds are likely to persist through Thursday.
