KINGSTON, Jamaica — A Tropical Storm Watch remains in effect for Jamaica as Tropical Storm Isaac approaches the southern coast of Hispaniola.

At 1:00 pm the centre of Isaac was located about 540 kilometres (330 miles) east-southeast of Morant Point, Jamaica or 215 kilometres (135 miles) south-southeast of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, the latest Meteorological Service bulletin said.

The Met Service says that tropical storm conditions still pose a possible threat to the island.

Tropical storm force winds now extend outward up to 295 km (185 miles) from the centre.

The Met Service warns that with the centre of Isaac expected to pass near 190 kilometres (120 miles) off the northeast coast of Jamaica, this could bring sections of the island under the influence of tropical storm conditions; hence, the Tropical Storm Watch remains in effect.

Outbreaks of thunderstorms and heavy rainfall, reaching near 300 millimetres (12 inches) over the next 48 hours, could result in flash flooding and landslides, mainly over vulnerable areas of northern and southeastern parishes, the Met Office said.