Tropical depression strengthens into Tropical Storm Rafael, tropical storm warning still in effect for Jamaica

The Meteorological Service of Jamaica is advising that the tropical storm warning remains in effect for Jamaica as the area of low pressure over the south-central Caribbean Sea has now developed into Tropical Storm Rafael.

This means that tropical storm conditions are expected to affect Jamaica within the next six to 12 hours.

At 4:00 p.m. the center of Tropical Storm Rafael was located near latitude 15.5 degrees North, longitude 76.7 degrees West. This is about 280 kilometres (200 miles) south of Kingston, Jamaica or 355 kilometres (221 miles) southeast of Negril Point, Jamaica.

Tropical Storm Rafael is moving toward the north near 15 km/h (9 mph) and a north-westward motion is expected to begin later tonight and forecast to continue for the next few days.

Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 75 km/h (45 mph) with higher gusts. Steady to rapid strengthening is now forecast and the system is forecast to become a hurricane on Tuesday.

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“On the forecast track, Rafael is expected to continue moving towards Jamaica this evening and be near Jamaica by late tonight or early on Tuesday, near or over the Cayman Islands on Tuesday night and approach Cuba on Wednesday,” the Met Office said.

Moderate to heavy showers and thunderstorms are currently affecting sections of most parishes and the rainfall is expected to become widespread across the island as the system approaches Jamaica from the south.

According to the Met Office, “as the rain continues, flooding and landslides are possible in vulnerable sections of the island. Observations indicate that periods of strong gusty winds are affecting sections of southern parishes and this is forecast to extend to the remainder of the island throughout the night.”

Over the marine areas, the forecast is for widespread showers and thunderstorms, which may be heavy at times, with strong gusty winds up to tropical storm force to affect all marine zones this evening and into Tuesday, especially inshore and offshore the south coast.

“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,” the Met Service noted.

The Meteorological Service says it continues to monitor the progress of Tropical Storm Rafael and all interests are encouraged to pay special attention to further releases.

The Met Office will release the next bulletin on this system at 8:00 p.m. today.