Hurricane Watch downgraded to Tropical Storm Watch

The Meteorological Service has downgraded the Hurricane Watch that had been effect for Jamaica, even as Tropical Storm Tomas has been

The Meteorological Service has downgraded the Hurricane Watch that has been in effect for Jamaica to a Tropical Storm Watch with immediate effect.

This follows the weakening of Tomas to a tropical depression Wednesday morning and means that tropical storm conditions now pose a possible threat to the island within 48 hours. 

At 10 o'clock Wednesday morning, the centre of Tropical Depression Tomas was located near Latitude 14.1 degrees North, Longitude 75.9 degrees West; about 440 kilometres or 275 miles south of Morant Point, Jamaica or 630 kilometres or 390 miles southwest of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. 

Tomas is now moving towards the west-northwest near 9 kilometres per hour or 6 miles per hour.

A turn towards the northwest, north and then north-northeast is expected over the next 48 hours.

 Maximum sustained winds are near 55 kilometres per hour or 35 miles per hour with higher gusts.

However, re-strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours and Tomas could regain tropical storm strength on Thursday.    

The forecast track remains almost unchanged with Tomas being expected to move past the east coast of Jamaica by Friday morning and head towards Haiti. 

However, the system is forecast to be a tropical storm rather than a hurricane during that time. 

Satellite imagery shows that Tomas has become very disorganised and is embedded in a broad area of low-pressure. 

Rainfall associated with the system could start affecting Jamaica as early as Wednesday evening, starting with southern and eastern parishes. 

Showers and possible thunderstorms should increase on Thursday and Friday as the system moves closer to the island.  Gusty winds reaching near tropical storm force could be experienced over sections of eastern parishes on Friday.  

All small craft operators including fishers from the cays and banks should by now have completed all the necessary safety precautions and are advised to remain in safe harbour until all warning messages have been lifted and wind and sea conditions have returned to normal.