TROPICAL DEPRESSION #5 PROJECTED OVER JAMAICAN WATERS BY SUNDAY

Tropical Depression Number 5, which formed yesterday over the southeastern Caribbean Sea, is becoming better organized and continues to move towards the Central Caribbean.



At 10:00 a.m. the centre of Tropical Depression #5 was located near Latitude 13.5 degrees North, Longitude 66.4 degrees West, or about 545 kilometres (340 miles) south of San Juan, Puerto Rico, or 1220 kilometres (760 miles) east-southeast of Morant Point, Jamaica.



The Depression is moving towards the west near 24 km/h (15 mph) and a turn towards the west-northwest is expected in the next 24 hours.



Maximum sustained winds are near 55 km/h (35 mph), with higher gusts, and some strengthening is forecast later today or tonight.



The projected track moves this centre south of Hispaniola on Saturday and over the waters just south of Jamaica on Sunday morning. By this time, the depression is expected to be a strong tropical storm spreading gale-force winds along with showers and thunderstorms over sections of Jamaica early Sunday.



Fishers on the cays and banks, especially those on the Morant and Pedro Cays, are strongly advised to complete preparations and be on the alert as an evacuation may be necessary at short notice.



The Meteorological Service will continue to monitor the progress of this system, and all interests, especially fishers and other small craft operators, should pay special attention to subsequent Releases.



The next Bulletin on Tropical Depression #5 will be issued at 5:00 p.m. today.