Dean now over the Eastern Caribbean

At 4:00 a.m. the center of Hurricane Dean was located near Latitude 14.3 degrees north and Longitude 60.9 degrees west or in the St Lucia Channel between St Lucia and Martinique.



Dean is moving towards the west near 39 km/h and this general motion is expected to continue with some decrease in forward speed during the next 24 hours.



Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 160 km/h with higher gusts. Hurricane Dean is a Category Two Hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale and additional strengthening is forecast during the next 24 hours.



With Hurricane Dean being forecast to enter Jamaica’s territorial waters by Sunday, fishers on the cays and banks are further urged to complete preparations and be on the alert to evacuate.



All interests should pay special attention to subsequent Releases issued by the

Meteorological Service.