Meteorologists at the US-based National Hurricane Center (NHC) are today (May 30) keeping close tabs on an offshoot of Hurricane Agatha as favourable weather conditions appear to be conducive to further development.

The NHC, calling the massive low-pressure system “complex”, warned that two areas could contribute to a gradual storm formation by either mid-week or weekend.

Sleuths at the NHC further disclosed that development chances over the next five days are currently placed at a “medium”, 40 per cent.

“A large and complex area of low pressure is expected to develop across Central America, the Yucatán Peninsula, and the southwest Gulf of Mexico in a few days, partially related to the remnants of
Hurricane Agatha from the eastern Pacific,” the NHC observed.

“Some gradual development is possible within this system in the far southwest Gulf of Mexico around mid-week or in the northwest Caribbean by the latter part of this week as it drifts eastward or northeastward,” the hurricane watchdog aded.

In the meantime, the NHC maintained that regardless of development, locally heavy rains will be possible across southern Mexico and the Yucatán Peninsula as well as Guatemala and Belize throughout the week.

Should forecasts stay true, the first storm for the 2022 North Atlantic Hurricane Season would be named Alex. Early days yet, but the system is not being projected to directly threaten any Caribbean islands at this time.

The season, which was predicted to be ‘above-average’ for a seventh consecutive year, has started off rather quietly with no named storms for the ‘pre-season’ for the first time in eight years.

Closer to home, the Jamaica Meteorological Service has indicated that a high-pressure ridge and low-level jet stream are the two major influences over local skies today.

Heavy cloud cover is the order for most of the day, with isolated afternoon showers and thunderstorms in store for Jamaica, especially across its hilly interior as well as north-central and western parishes. Windy conditions will also persist, especially along the south coast.

The maximum temperature anticipated for major cities, Kingston and Montego Bay, is 31 degrees Celcius respectively.

See more in the Jamaica Met Office’s town/city forecast:

Fisherfolk and marine interests are being reminded that a small craft warning for inshore areas of the south coast and offshore areas of both north and south coasts—activated by the Met Service—remains in effect due to strong winds and rough seas in the vicinity of showers and thunderstorms.

For more, see three-day outlook:

Tuesday/Wednesday: Partly cloudy morning. Isolated afternoon showers and thunderstorms across hilly areas and sections of northern parishes. Windy along the south coast.
Thursday: Isolated morning showers across eastern and south-central parishes. Becoming mostly cloudy with afternoon scattered showers and thunderstorms mainly across central and western parishes. Windy.

READ MORE:

• First hurricane of the eastern Pacific season approaches southern Mexico
• Hurricane relief: Atlantic sees no named ‘pre-season’ storms for first time since 2014