BULLETIN #8 issued by the Meteorological Service at 2:00 p.m.

BULLETIN #8 issued by the Meteorological Service at 2:00 p.m.

on Saturday, August 26, 2006.



TROPICAL STORM WARNING and HURRICANE WATCH IN EFFECT



A TROPICAL STORM WARNING and HURRICANE WATCH are in effect for Jamaica as Tropical Storm Ernesto continues on a path towards the island. This means that tropical storm conditions, including possible sustained wind speeds of 63-117 km/h (39-73 mph), are expected to affect Jamaica in 24 hours or less, while hurricane conditions also pose a possible threat within 36 hours.



At 1:00 p.m. the centre of Tropical Storm Ernesto was located near Latitude 15.5 degrees North, Longitude 71.8 degrees West. This is about 395 kilometres (245 miles) southwest of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, or 550 kilometres (340 miles) east-southeast of Morant Point, Jamaica.



Ernesto continues to move towards the west-northwest near 24 km/h (15 mph) and this general motion is expected to continue for the next 24 hours. On this track, the centre of the tropical storm is projected to remain south of Hispaniola through today and start passing over Jamaica by midday tomorrow.



Maximum sustained winds are now near 85 km/h (50 mph), with higher gusts, and additional strengthening is possible today. At this rate, Ernesto could be near hurricane strength while close to Jamaica.



Tropical storm force winds now extend outward up to 185 kilometres (115 miles) from the centre, and satellite imagery indicates that Ernesto’s outer bands now extend as far as 400 km (250 miles) from the centre. Extensive flash flooding and landslides are likely as heavy rainfall and thunderstorms begin to affect Jamaica on Sunday morning. As the system moves closer, storm-force winds, initially out of the northeast, should be expected along with storm surges, especially over coastal sections of northeastern parishes.



All small craft operators, including fishers from the cays and banks, should by now have completed all the necessary safety precautions and are advised to remain in safe harbour until all warning messages have been lifted and wind and sea conditions have returned to normal.

The next Bulletin on Tropical Storm Ernesto will be issued at 5:00 p.m. today