The Jamaica Meteorological Service says the tropical storm warning issued for the island remains in effect for the island on Sunday (July 4) as Tropical Storm Elsa dumps torrential rains and strong winds.

The Met Service, in an 8:00 am bulletin, warned that weather conditions over Jamaica are currently being impacted by heavy showers and thunderstorms associated with Tropical Storm Elsa.

The agency further noted that rainfall will continue to spread across most parishes this morning as the centre of the tropical storm remains close to the island. Flash flooding is likely in low-lying and flood-prone areas
today with 75-150 millimetres of rainfall in the forecast.

“Strong winds, reaching to near tropical-storm-force, are also expected during at least the next [six to 12] hours. These could generate 1-metre (three-foot) sea swells along coastal areas of mainly northeastern parishes,” the met service explained.

“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 agency added.

As at 7:00 am local time, the centre of Tropical Storm Elsa was located near Latitude 18.3 degrees North, Longitude 76.2 degrees West, or about 30 kilometres north-northeast of Port Antonio, Portland.

Elsa is moving towards the west-northwest near 20 kilometres/hour, and a turn towards the northwest is expected tonight or Monday.

On the forecast track, Elsa will stay close to northeastern Jamaica over the next few hours and then move over parts of eastern Cuba later today.

Meteorologists tracking TS Elsa explained that nearly two-thirds of Jamaica is experiencing heavy showers associated with the storm, which has all but slowed to a crawl along the north coast.

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

Maximum sustained winds remain near 100 kilometres/hour (65 mph), with higher gusts. Some slight strengthening is possible today as Elsa approaches the south-central coast of Cuba; however, gradual weakening is forecast to occur tonight and Monday while Elsa moves across Cuba.

Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 205 km (125 miles) from the centre.

The Meteorological Service, which indicated that it will continue to monitor the progress of this system, said another update would be published at 11:00 am.