TROPICAL STORM WATCH NOW IN EFFECT

The Meteorological Service has issued a Tropical Storm Watch for Jamaica as newly-developed Hurricane Felix is expected to move across the southeastern Caribbean Sea and influence the island’s weather. This means that tropical storm conditions are possible within 36 hours.



At 7:00 p.m. the centre of Hurricane Felix was located near Latitude 12.6 degrees North, Longitude 66.0 degrees West. This is about 1240 kilometres (775 miles) east-southeast of Morant Point, Jamaica, or 435 kilometres (270 miles) east of Aruba.



Felix is moving towards the west near 30 km/h (18 mph) and this general motion is expected to continue during the next 24 hours.



Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 120 km/h (75 mph), with higher gusts, making Felix a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale. Hurricane force winds extend outward approximately 25 km (15 miles) from the centre, while tropical storm force winds extend outward about 220 kilometres (140 miles) primarily north of the centre.



The current projection is for Hurricane Felix to pass close to the Netherlands Antilles by tomorrow morning and then to begin moving over the waters well south of Jamaica late Sunday night or early Monday. With the centre of the hurricane forecast to move near 250 kilometres (160 miles) away from the mainland, Jamaica could come under the influence of tropical storm conditions on Monday.



Fishers on the cays and banks are advised to evacuate immediately with a view to returning to the mainland by tomorrow morning. Other small craft operators in our coastal waters are advised to return to port and those in port are advised not to venture out.



The Meteorological Service will continue to monitor the progress of this system and all interests, should pay special attention to subsequent Releases.



The next Bulletin on Hurricane Felix will be issued at 11:00 p.m.