Flash Flood Watch in Effect for all Parishes

The Meteorological Service (Met Service) has issued a Flash Flood Watch for low-lying and flood-prone areas of all parishes, effective until 5 a.m. tomorrow (June 16).

The Met Service says a large area of disturbed weather across the western Caribbean is influencing weather conditions across Jamaica.

The system is expected to linger west of the island through to Sunday.

As a result, atmospheric conditions have become unstable, and deteriorating weather conditions are expected to continue throughout the weekend.

Satellite imagery and Radar reports indicated that light to moderate showers and at times heavy showers affected most parishes since this morning, with the heaviest showers detected across Portland, St.Mary, Hanover, Manchester and Clarendon.

Showers, which could be heavy at times, are expected to continue to affect sections of all parishes. Flash flooding is therefore a possibility over some low-lying and flood-prone areas of all parishes.

Fishers and other marine interests are advised to exercise caution, as strong gusty winds are likely in the vicinity of showers and thunderstorms, particularly over the waters west and south of Jamaica.

Conditions appear to be favourable for gradual development of this system while it moves slowly northwestward across the Yucatan Peninsula this weekend and into the southern and central Gulf of Mexico early next week.

A Flash Flood Watch means that flash flooding is possible and residents are advised to take precautionary measures, keep informed by listening to further releases from the Meteorological Service and be ready for quick action if flooding is observed or if a Warning is issued.