KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Meteorological (Met) Service of Jamaica says a trough induced by Hurricane Joaquin has increased moisture and instability across the island, which will persist tonight through to Friday.

As a result, showers and thunderstorms which could be heavy at times are forecast to affect the island especially across northern and south-western parishes.

In the meantime, the Met Service said at 4:00 pm the centre of Hurricane Joaquin was located near Latitude 23.0 degrees north and Longitude 74.4 degrees west or about 25 km northwest of Crooked Island, Bahamas.

It said Joaquin is moving toward the southwest near 9 km/h, and a westward or south-westward motion is expected to continue through tonight. A turn toward the north is expected on Friday, and a faster motion toward the north is expected Friday night and Saturday.

On the forecast track, the centre of Joaquin will move near or over portions of the central Bahamas tonight and pass near or over portions of the north-western Bahamas on Friday.

Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 215 km/h with higher gusts. Joaquin is a category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Some additional strengthening is possible tonight and Friday, with some fluctuations in intensity possible on Friday night and Saturday.

Although Hurricane Joaquin is not a direct threat to Jamaica, the Met Service said it will continue to monitor the situation.