A tropical storm warning has been issued for Jamaica as an area of low pressure over the west-central Caribbean Sea becomes better organised while moving closer to the island, the Meteorological Office of Jamaica said Sunday.

The met office said in a release that the system has the potential to develop into a tropical cyclone by Monday morning, which means that tropical storm conditions pose a possible threat to Jamaica within 36 hours.

At 4:00 pm Sunday, the system (Potential Tropical Cyclone Number 18) was centred about 600 kilometres (373 miles) southwest of Negril Point or 555 kilometres (345 miles) south of Kingston, the release stated.

The system is moving towards the northeast near 11 km/h (7 mph). A turn to the north and then northwest is expected over the next few days. Maximum sustained winds are near 55 km/h (35 mph) with higher gusts. This system is expected to become a tropical depression Sunday night and steady strengthening is forecast, according to the weather authority.

“On the forecast track, the centre of the system is expected to continue moving towards Jamaica (Sunday night) and, be near Jamaica by late Monday evening, and near or over the Cayman Islands Tuesday and Wednesday.

“While the potential tropical cyclone is in the vicinity of Jamaica, it is expected to produce locally heavy rainfall and strong, gusty winds, primarily over eastern and southern parishes tomorrow and Tuesday,” the Met Office said, adding that landslides should also be anticipated in vulnerable sections of the
island.

For the marine areas, the forecast is for widespread showers and thunderstorms, which may be heavy at times, with strong gusty winds up to tropical storm force to affect all marine zones on Monday, especially inshore and offshore the south coast, the met office said.

It said all small craft operators including fishers from the cays and banks should be arriving in port to start preparations for safe harbour.

The Meteorological Service said it continues to monitor the progress of the system, and all interests are encouraged to pay special attention to further Releases.