Tropical wave could impact Jamaica by weekend
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Meteorological Service of Jamaica (MET Service) says a tropical wave moving over the Atlantic Ocean could develop into a tropical depression in the next few days and enter the Caribbean.
According to the MET Service, the system could enter the southeastern Caribbean by mid-week and increase the chances of rain for Jamaica going into the weekend.
An update from the National Hurricane Centre (NHC) said the tropical wave is currently located about 900 miles east-southeast of the southern Windward Islands and is producing a large area of showers and thunderstorms.
It said environmental conditions appear conducive for further development and a tropical depression is likely to form during the next couple of days before the system reaches the Windward Islands Tuesday night or possibly while moving westward across the southern Caribbean Sea Wednesday through Friday.
The NHC said tropical storm watches or warnings for portions of the Windward Islands and along the northeastern coast of Venezuela could be issued as early as Monday evening.
It said the cyclone formation chance through the next 48 hours is a high 70 per cent and through the next five days is a high 90 per cent.
Regardless of its development, the NHC said locally heavy rainfall is possible over the Windward Islands and the northeastern coast of Venezuela Tuesday night and Wednesday.
In the meantime, the MET Service will continue to monitor the system.