Tropical Storm Noel Tracks along the North Coast of Cuba

At 4:00 a.m. the centre of Tropical Storm Noel was located near Latitude 21.3 degrees north, Longitude 76.0 degrees west, very near the town of Gibara on the north coast of Cuba and about 435 kilometres south-southeast of Nassau, Bahamas.



Noel has been moving toward the west near 19 km/hr but should turn to the northwest with the same forward speed later today. On this track, the centre of Noel should continue to move very near and parallel to the coast of Cuba for the next 12 hours or so.



Maximum sustained winds are near 95 km/h, with higher gusts and some additional strengthening is forecast during the next 24 hours. .



Although Tropical Storm Noel is not a direct threat to Jamaica, cloud bands associated with the system continue to bring occasional showers and isolated thunderstorms to sections of the island.



Fishers and other marine interests are advised to exercise caution due to rough sea conditions especially over northern coastal waters.



The Meteorological Service will continue to monitor the situation.