KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Meteorological (Met) Service has issued a flash flood watch for low-lying and flood-prone areas of northern parishes.

The flash flood watch is effective until 5:00 am on Friday.

The Met Service said a cold front, which is now west of Jamaica, is projected to move across the island tonight and into Friday morning. As a result, weather conditions over Jamaica are expected to become unstable with rainfall activity increasing across the island.

The forecast is for periods of moderate showers and isolated heavy thunderstorms to affect most parishes, especially northern parishes, tonight and Friday with improvement by Friday evening, the Met Service said.

The Met Service advised marine interests to be cautious as showers and thunderstorms are occurring over northern waters. Additionally, winds over inshore and offshore areas of the north coast are expected to be south-westerly tonight and north-westerly tomorrow as a result of the passage of the front, the Met Service said.

A flash flood watch means that flash flooding is possible and residents are advised to take precautionary measures, keep informed by listening to further releases from the Meteorological Service and be ready for quick action if flooding is observed or if a warning is issued.