Tomas to Pass JA’s East Coast Tonight, Rain and Winds Forecasted

The latest Meteorological Service Bulletin (#26), issued at 5 p.m. Thursday (November 4), says that Tropical Storm Tomas should pass near Jamaica’s east coast tonight, dumping rain on sections of St. Mary, Portland, St. Thomas, Kingston and St. Andrew and St. Catherine, on its way to Haiti and Cuba.
According to the Bulletin, storm force winds extend outwards, up to 195 km (120 miles) mainly east of the centre, creating a 40% chance that they too will impact on sections of these parishes by tonight.
A Tropical Storm warning remains in effect. Flash-flooding is possible in flood-prone areas of these parishes, tonight and tomorrow. Small craft operators, including fishers from the cays and banks, are to remain in safe harbour until all warning messages have been lifted and wind and sea conditions return to normal.
The full text of the Bulleting read:
“A Tropical Storm warning remains in effect for Jamaica, as Tomas continues slowly towards the north. This means that tropical storm conditions, including possible sustained wind speeds of 34-63 knots, or 63-117 km/h (39-73 mph) are expected, in this case within 12-18 hours.
“At 4 p.m. the centre of Tropical Storm Tomas was located near Latitude 16.6 degrees North, Longitude 76.0 degrees West; about 140 km (85 miles) south of Morant Point, Jamaica or 450 km (280 miles) west-southwest of Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
“Tomas is moving towards the north near 7 km/h (5 mph) and a gradual turn towards the northeast, with an increase in forward speed, is expected over the next 48 hours. On the forecast track, the centre of Tomas is, therefore, forecast to pass near to the east end of Jamaica tonight and continue towards western Haiti/eastern Cuba by early Friday.
“Maximum sustained winds remain near 85 km/h (50 mph), with higher gusts. Some strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 195 km (120 miles), mainly east of the centre. There is still a 40% chance that these will impact sections of Jamaica’s eastern parishes this evening and tonight.
Reports from Doppler radar and automatic weather stations continue to report moderate showers associated with Tomas over sections of St. Mary, Portland, St. Thomas, Kingston and St. Andrew and St. Catherine. Up to 76 mm (3 in) of rainfall have so far been recorded in Portland over the period. Flash-flooding is possible in flood-prone areas of mainly eastern parishes tonight and tomorrow, as Tomas makes its way past Jamaica. Above-average wave heights should also be expected over coastal areas of northeastern parishes.
“Small craft operators, including fishers from the cays and banks, are reminded to remain in safe harbour until all warning messages have been lifted and wind and sea conditions have returned to normal.
“The Meteorological Service continues to monitor the progress of this system, and all interests should pay special attention to further releases.
“The next Bulletin on Tropical Storm Tomas will be issued at 8 p.m.”