Weather conditions across Jamaica are expected to deteriorate over the next three to six hours as Tropical Storm Elsa continues travelling through the Caribbean.

In its 5 pm bulletin, the Meteorological Service, Jamaica, said a tropical storm warning remains in effect for the island.

“At 4:00 pm the centre of Tropical Storm Elsa was located near latitude 17.5 degrees north, longitude 73.9 degrees west, or about 247 kilometres (154 miles) east-southeast of Morant Point, Jamaica,” the Met Service said.

“This is also about 210 kilometres (130 miles) southwest of Port-Au-Prince, Haiti. Maximum sustained winds are near 110 km/h (70 mph), with higher gusts.  Little change in strength is forecast tonight, followed by gradual weakening on Sunday and Monday when Elsa is expected to be near or over Cuba.

“Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 205 km (125 miles) mainly to the north of the centre. Elsa is moving towards the west-northwest near 44 km/h (28 mph); however, a decrease in forward speed is expected later today and Sunday, followed by a turn towards the northwest on Sunday night or Monday.”

WEATHER CONDITIONS TO DETERIORATE WITHIN 6 HOURS

The Met Service said that, on the forecast track, Elsa is expected to move near the southwestern peninsula of Haiti over the next few hours, and then move near Jamaica late tonight into Sunday and over portions of eastern Cuba on Sunday. 

By Monday, Elsa is expected to move across central and western Cuba.

“Weather conditions over Jamaica will begin to deteriorate within 3-6 hours with rainfall spreading over northern and eastern parishes, and then to the rest of the island during the night and early on Sunday,” the Met Service noted as it pointed out that 75-150 millimetres (3-6 inches) of rainfall could cause flash flooding in low-lying areas.

Strong winds, gusting to near tropical-storm-force, are also expected tonight and early Sunday morning, as well as the possibility of storm surges of one to three feet over coastal areas of northeastern parishes.

“Small craft operators, including fishers from the cays and banks, are reminded to remain in safe harbour until all warning messages have been lifted and sea conditions have returned to normal.”

The next bulletin on Tropical Storm Elsa will be issued at 8:00 pm tonight.