The Jamaica Meteorological Service says that as Tropical Storm Grace increases in strength and continues to move towards the northern coastline of the island on Tuesday (August 17), a tropical storm warning is in effect for the entire country.

Met Service, in an 8:00 am bulletin, said Jamaica was upgraded from a tropical storm watch activated on Monday, adding that tropical storm conditions are expected to impact the island soon.

Satellite imagery tracking Tropical Storm Grace located the massive system near latitude 18.2 degrees North, longitude 76.1 degrees West—or roughly 32 kilometres east of Port Antonio, Portland.

As at 8:00 am Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), Grace is barrelling west at 26 kilometres/hour, while packing maximum sustained winds near 75 kilometres/hour, with higher gusts.

On the forecast track, TS Grace is expected to deviate slightly to west-northwestern motion and gradually strengthen in between the warm waters of Cuba and Jamaica today.

“[T]he centre of Grace will move near over Jamaica’s northern parishes today, then continue towards the Cayman Islands tonight,” the Met Service noted.

“Tropical Storm Grace is expected to produce four to six inches of rainfall over Jamaica today as it spreads widespread showers and thunderstorms across the island. Flash flooding and landslides should be expected. Strong, gusty winds will also be experienced across the island, especially over northern parishes, today,” the government agency added.

The Met Service further advised fisherfolk and other marine interests to remain in port until all warning messages have been lifted and sea conditions have returned to normal. The mall craft warning activated a day prior is unchanged at this time.

According to the US-based National Hurricane Center, tropical storm warnings have also been activated for the southern coast of Cuban provinces Santiago de Cuba, Granma, Las Tunas, and Camagüey as well as the Cayman Islands.

Tropical storm watches remain in effect for the entire coast of earthquake-stricken Haiti. The southern coast of Cuban provinces Ciego de Ávila, Sancti Spíritus, Cienfuegos, Matanzas, Pinar del Río and Isla de la Juventud are also included, the NHC added.