TROPICAL STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FOR JAMAICA…

The Meteorological Service has issued a TROPICAL STORM WATCH for Jamaica as ERNESTO, the fifth tropical storm of the 2006 Atlantic Hurricane Season, developed this afternoon and continues to move towards the central Caribbean. This means that tropical storm conditions pose a possible threat within 36 hours.



At 4:00 p.m. the centre of Tropical Storm Ernesto was located near Latitude 14.3 degrees North, Longitude 67.6 degrees West. This is about 485 kilometres (300 miles) south-southwest of San Juan, Puerto Rico, or 1000 kilometres (625 miles) east-southeast of Morant Point, Jamaica.



The Tropical Storm is now moving towards the west-northwest near 26 km/h (16 mph) and this general motion is expected to continue for the next 24 hours.



Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 65 km/h (40 mph), with higher gusts, and further strengthening is possible.



The forecast track has been adjusted northward and the centre of Ernesto is now expected to pass directly over Jamaica starting late Sunday morning. Residents should expect storm-force winds to start to spread across the island, along with showers and thunderstorms, on Sunday morning.



Fishers on the cays and banks, especially those on the Morant and Pedro Cays, are now advised to evacuate immediately and start returning to the mainland. This should be completed by 6:00 a.m. on Saturday. Other small craft operators in coastal waters are advised to return to port, and those in port are urged not to venture out.



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 Storm Ernesto will be issued at 8:00 p.m. today.