The Meteorological Service has upgraded the Tropical Storm Watch to a Tropical Storm warning for Jamaica as Ernesto continues to move towards the west and closer to the island. This means that tropical storm conditions, including possible sustained wind speeds of 34-63 knots or 63-118 km/h, are expected for sections of the island in 36 hours. However, the Met Service says Ernesto could become a hurricane on Sunday as the storm begins to move south of Jamaica. At 10 a.m. the centre of Tropical Storm Ernesto was located near Latitude 14.4 degrees North, Longitude 68.7 degrees West; about 900 kilometres (560 miles) east-southeast of Morant Point, Jamaica or 475 kilometres (305 miles) south-southeast of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The Met Service says Ernesto is now moving towards the west-northwest near 30 km/h (18 mph) and this general motion is expected to continue today and tomorrow. (Jamaica Gleaner)
