WEATHER | Severe Weather Alert for Jamaica, Cayman, Cuba

MONTEGO BAY,  SEPTEMBER 23, 2022 - Tropical Depression #9 has formed over the Central Caribbean Sea and is expected to continue its slow strengthening over the next couple of days while moving closer to Jamaica. A Severe Weather Alert, therefore, remains in effect for the island.

 A release from the Jamaica Meteorological Service says at 4:00 a.m. the centre of Tropical Depression #9 was located near latitude 13.9 degrees North, longitude 68.6 degrees West, or about 985 kilometres (615 miles) east-southeast of Kingston, or 930 kilometres (580 miles) east-southeast of Morant Point, Jamaica.

The Tropical Depression is moving towards the west-northwest near 20 km/h (13 mph) and a more westward turn is forecast over the next day or so followed by a turn back to the west-northwest and northwest by this weekend.

Atención! The U.S. National Hurricane Center has stated that the strong Tropical Wave being monitored also referred to as Invest 98L has now strengthened to a Tropical Depression and could become a Tropical Storm later today. Stay alert! pic.twitter.com/vTZtSBSdFd

— Weather Jamaica (@weatherjamaica) September 23, 2022

Maximum sustained winds are near 55 km/h (35 mph) with higher gusts and slow intensification is forecast over the next day or so, followed by more significant strengthening over the weekend and early next week.

On the current forecast track, Tropical Depression #9 will move over the waters south of Hispaniola on Saturday and n1ove closer to Jamaica's southwestern coastline as a tropical storm on Sunday as it approaches the Cayman Islands. All small craft operators, including fishers from the cays and banks, should be arriving in port to start preparations for safe harbour at this tin1e.

Jamaica and its territorial waters should begin to feel impacts of the tropical depression as early as midday on Saturday with an increase in showers and gusty winds.

The Meteorological Service continues to monitor the progress of this system, and all interests are encouraged to pay special attention to further Releases. The next Bulletin on this system will be issued at 11 :00 a.m. today.