Hurricane conditions spreading over southern parishes

Met Office Bulletin No. 17 at 5pm.



A Hurricane Warning remains in effect for Jamaica as extreme weather conditions associated with Hurricane Dean move across the island. This means that dangerous effects of a hurricane are still expected over Jamaica within 24 hours.



At 4:00 p.m. the centre of Hurricane Dean was located near Latitude 17.3 degrees North, Longitude 76.8 degrees West, or about 80 km (50 miles) south of Kingston, Jamaica.



Dean is now moving westward at near 32 km/h (20 mph) and a general motion towards the west or west-northwest is expected during the next 24 hours.



Maximum sustained winds remain near 230 km/h (145 mph), with higher gusts; hence Dean remains a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale. Fluctuations in strength are, however, still possible. Hurricane force winds extend outward approximately 95 km (60 miles), while tropical storm force winds extend 335 km (205 miles) from the centre.



Radar reports and satellite imagery indicate that rainfall in the spiral bands associated with the hurricane have been spreading across Jamaica and now engulfs the eastern half of the island. Torrential rainfall and violent winds within the inner core of Dean will continue to move westwards over mainly southern parishes and could take as long as 4-5 hours to clear each location. This activity will continue until late tonight and could produce severe flash-flooding and life-threatening landslides over the island.



Hurricane-force winds are likely to generate dangerous storm surges of 1.5 to 3 metres (7 to 9 feet) above normal tide levels, and battering waves, especially along southern coastal areas.



All interests should continue to monitor subsequent Releases from the Meteorological Service. The next Bulletin on Hurricane Dean will be issued at 8:00 p.m.