SUB-TROPICAL STORM OLGA THREATENS GREATER ANTILLES

Sub-Tropical Storm Olga, which developed last night near the U.S. Virgin islands, is now producing stormy weather over the Central Caribbean while threatening the Greater Antilles.



At 10:00 a.m., the centre of Sub-Tropical Storm Olga was located near latitude 18.1 degrees North, longitude 68.0 degrees West. This is about 870 kilometers (540 miles) east of Morant Point, Jamaica, or 205 kilometers (130 miles) east-southeast of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.



Olga is moving near westward at about 24 km/h (15 mph) and this general motion is expected to continue during the next 24 hours.



Maximum sustained winds are near 75 km/h (45 mph) with higher gusts and little change in strength is expected today. Currently tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 445 km (275 miles) to the north and northeast of the centre.



Olga is likely to weaken tomorrow after passing close to Hispaniola and conditions become less favourable for its development. The system could, however, still produce periods of heavy rainfall, gusty winds and above-normal waves, especially along northern coastal areas, on Wednesday, when the centre is forecast to pass over or very close to Jamaica. Weather onditions are expected to gradually deteriorate during the morning on ednesday and could persist through the day on Thursday.



Fishers and small craft operators should continue to pay special attention to subsequent Bulletins and are urged not to venture far from

the mainland due to hazardous sea conditions approaching from the east.



The Meteorological Service will continue to monitor the situation and the next Bulletin will be issued at 1:00 p.m.