First tropical depression could become a storm today

Met Service says system not a threat to Jamaica

Saturday, June 26, 2010

THE first tropical depression of the Atlantic hurricane season was formed yesterday, and could become a tropical storm by today.

However, Jamaica's National Meteorological Service said the system was not a threat to Jamaica.

"Maximum sustained winds were near 55 kilometres per hour, with higher gusts. Some strengthening is forecast and the depression is expected to be a tropical storm tonight or Saturday," the Met Service said last night.

At 6:00 pm the centre of the depression was located near Latitude 15.5 North, Longitude 83.5 West or about 570 kilometres southeast of Cozumel, Mexico.

The depression was last night moving toward the west northwest near 17 kilometres per hour, and was expected to continue on that motion for the next couple of days, according to the Met Service.

"On this track, the depression will reach the Yucatan peninsula by late today," the Met Service said.

"Disturbed weather conditions are expected to continue across the western Caribbean and offshore the Jamaican coast until Sunday. As such, marine interests, particularly fishers on the cays and banks south of the island, should exercise caution as weather conditions will remain unstable," the Met Service said in an earlier release yesterday.

And the Met Service yesterday extended the flash flood warning for low-lying and flood-prone areas of all parishes until today, as rains lashing the island since Wednesday continued.

A flash flood warning means that flooding has been reported or could occur shortly.

Motorists and pedestrians were, in the meantime, warned not to cross flooded roadways or other low-lying areas as strong currents were likely, while residents in low-lying areas were advised to be on the alert for fast-rising waters and be ready to move quickly to higher ground.

Meanwhile, the Met Service said a new tropical wave moved across Jamaica yesterday and produced widespread showers and thunderstorms mainly across eastern and central parishes. Showers and thunderstorms, which could be heavy at times, were expected to continue affecting all parishes today.

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First tropical depression could become a storm today