Category 4 Hurricane Dean Steadily strengthens - Maximum Sustained Winds now near 145 mph

A Hurricane Watch remains in effect for Jamaica as dangerous Hurricane Dean continues to strengthen while moving towards the island. This means that hurricane conditions pose a possible threat within 36 hours.



At 10:00 p.m. the centre of Hurricane Dean was located near Latitude 14.9 degrees North, Longitude 65.9 degrees West. This is about 390 kilometres (240 miles) south of San Juan, Puerto Rico, or close to 1150 kilometres (720 miles) east-southeast of Morant Point, Jamaica.



Dean is moving towards the west near 30 km/h (18 mph) and this general motion is expected to continue during the next 24 hours.



Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 230 km/h (145 mph), with higher gusts. Dean is now a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale and further strengthening is forecast during the next 24 hours. Hurricane force winds extend outward approximately 95 kilometres (60 miles), while tropical storm force winds extend as far as 335 kilometres (205 miles) from the

centre.



The eye of Hurricane Dean is now being forecast to be south of Puerto Rico tonight, over the central Caribbean Sea, south of Hispaniola, on Saturday and moving across Jamaica during the afternoon on Sunday. Outer bands of the hurricane could, however, begin to affect the island by Saturday night with periods of showers and gusty winds.



All small craft operators, including fishers on the cays and banks, should by now be in port and are urged to complete their necessary safety precautions without delay.



The Meteorological Service will continue to monitor the progress of Hurricane Dean. All interests should pay special attention to subsequent Releases.



The next Bulletin on Hurricane Dean will be issued at 5:00 a.m. tomorrow.