KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Meteorological Service of Jamaica has issued a warning to fisherfolk as Tropical Storm Isaac has now entered the Caribbean and is posing a threat to marine interests throughout the region.

The Met Office said in a release this morning that the centre of the tropical storm is expected to pass south of Puerto Rico today and be near the south coast of the Dominican Republic and Haiti on Friday.  It is then expected to be northeast of Jamaica’s mainland by Saturday morning while approaching eastern Cuba.

The main threat to surrounding waters at this time would be strong northerly to northwesterly winds reaching near tropical storm force and outbreaks of heavy showers and thunderstorms.

Should there be any adverse changes in the forecast track of Isaac, it may be necessary to issue an evacuation notice for marine areas later today or early Friday.

All fishers on the cays and banks are, therefore, urged to hasten preparations with a view to evacuate at short notice, if required.

With weather conditions being expected to deteriorate due to the passage of the tropical storm, marine operators are urged not to venture far from the mainland.

Duty forecaster at the Met Office, Viola Jones, said the rains experienced this morning were not associated with Tropical Storm Isaac, but from a trough that is still lingering above some northern parishes.