The tropical storm watch for the island has been has been upgraded with a tropical storm warning as Tropical storm Sandy becomes better organized.
A tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected within the warning area, in this case within 24 To 36 hours.
A hurricane watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area, in this case within 36 hours.
The centre of Tropical Storm Sandy is located near Latitude NEAR 13.3 degrees North, Longitude 78.6 degrees West, or about 385 miles south-southwest of Kingston.
Tropical Storm Sandy has moved very little but is expected to head towards the north and north-northeast tomorrow and over the next couple of days.
On this forecast track, the centre of the tropical storm will approach Jamaica’s southern coastline tomorrow morning.
It’s forecast to move across the island to the north during the afternoon before moving on to eastern Cuba.
Maximum sustained winds are near 45 miles per hour, with higher gusts.
Strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours and Sandy is likely to become a hurricane while approaching Jamaica on Wednesday.
Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 70 miles from the centre.
Over the next couple of days, weather conditions over Jamaica are expected to gradually deteriorate, becoming most severe on Wednesday.
Showers and thunderstorms are forecast to increase significantly to produce flash floods and possible landslides.
Gusty winds will increase to near hurricane strength across the island and a storm surge of near 6 to 7 feet is possible along the southeastern coastline.
All small craft operators including fishers from the cays and banks should by now be in port and are urged to complete their necessary safety precautions without delay.
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