The weather system that is moving in Jamaica's direction is expected to strengthen to a tropical depression later today.
According to the Meteorological Service of Jamaica, at 7:00 a.m. Potential Tropical Cyclone Number 18 was about 355 kilometres (220 miles) south of Kingston.
The disturbance continues to move northward near 11 km/h (7 mph).
The Met Service says a turn to the northwest is expected later today thereafter it is expected to continue in this direction over the next few days.
Maximum sustained winds are near 55 km/h (35 mph/h) with higher gusts.
This system is expected to become a tropical depression or tropical storm today with additional strengthening forecast thereafter.
On the forecast track, the disturbance is expected to continue moving towards Jamaica today into tonight and, be near Jamaica by late Monday evening, or early Tuesday morning and near or over the Cayman Islands Tuesday into Wednesday.
While the potential tropical cyclone is in the vicinity of Jamaica, it is expected to produce heavy rainfall and strong, gusty winds, primarily over eastern and southern parishes today and Tuesday. Landslides should also be anticipated in vulnerable sections of the island.
For the marine areas the forecast is for mostly cloudy conditions with widespread showers and thunderstorms, which may be heavy at times, with strong gusty winds up to Tropical Storm force to affect all marine zones on Monday, and especially inshore and offshore the south coast.
All small craft operators including fishers from the cays and banks should now be in port and are urged to complete their necessary safety precautions without delay.
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