Kingston, Jamaica - A Tropical storm watch is now in effect for Jamaica as signs indicate that Tropical Storm Isaac could move closer to the island.  This means that tropical storm conditions pose a possible threat within 48 hours.

At 4:00 am the centre of Tropical Storm Isaac was located near Latitude 16.1 degrees North, Longitude 70.0 degrees West, or about 685 kilometres (423 miles) east-southeast of Morant Point, Jamaica or 370 kilometres (230 miles) southeast of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, the Met Office said.

Isaac is moving towards the west near 24 km/h (15 mph) and a turn towards the west-northwest is expected later today, followed by a turn toward the northwest tonight.  On the forecast track, the centre of Isaac will move near or over Hispaniola today and move near or over southwestern Cuba on Saturday.

With the current forecast track being nudged slightly south of the original prediction, Tropical Storm Isaac could now pass closer to Jamaica’s northeast coastline than earlier projected.

Tomorrow morning this could bring sections of the island under the influence of tropical storm conditions; hence the Tropical Storm Watch has been put into effect.

This means that outbreaks of heavy showers and thunderstorms are likely on Saturday, accompanied by strong gusty winds reaching tropical storm force, mainly over northern and eastern parishes.