KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Meteorological (Met) Service says as of 4:00 pm, the centre of Tropical Storm Earl was located about 325 kilometres south of Grand Cayman, but that a tropical storm warning remains in effect for Jamaica.

The Met Service said this warning means that tropical storm conditions, including possible sustained wind speeds of 63-118 km/h, are still expected today.

Earl is moving towards the west near 26 km/h and this motion is expected to continue through Thursday.

The Met Service said that on this track, the core of Earl will pass just north of the Honduras Bay Islands on Wednesday afternoon and then very near to the Belize coast early Thursday.

The Met Service said maximum sustained winds remain near 80 km/h (50 mph), with higher gusts, and that additional strengthening is forecast.

According to the Met Service, Earl could be near hurricane strength as it approaches Belize and the Yucatan Peninsula.

Doppler radar reports confirm that, isolated moderate to heavy showers were detected over offshore waters to the north and south of Jamaica, while, light to moderate showers continue to affect sections of most parishes.

The Met Service said residents in Jamaica should still expect outbreaks of showers, which could be heavy at times, along with thunderstorms and gusty winds this evening and into the night. Flash flooding is, therefore, still possible over low-lying and flood-prone areas.

However, showers and thunderstorms are expected to decrease on Wednesday as Earl and its associated weather moves farther away from Jamaica and closer to Belize.

The Met Service is reminding all small craft operators to remain in safe harbour until all warning messages have been lifted and wind and sea conditions return to normal.