Small craft operators and fishers from the cays are being urged to remain in safe harbour as a hurricane warning remains in place for Jamaica with Hurricane Elsa continuing to barrel across the central Caribbean Sea.

In its 8 am bulletin, the Meteorological Service said the island is expected to face average winds of 119 km/h or higher within the next 36 hours, as well as dangerously high water or a combinaation of dangerously high water and exceptionally high waves.

Winds, however, may be less than hurricane force.

According to the Met Service, at 7 am, the centre of Hurricane Elsa was located near latitude 16.5 degrees north, longitude 70.3 degrees west, or about 650 kilometres (405 miles) east-southeast of Morant Point, Jamaica. 

This is also about 175 kilometres (110 miles) southeast of Isla Beata, Dominican Republic.

“Elsa’s maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 120 km/h (75 mph), with higher gusts.  Little change in strength is expected today (July 3), but slow weakening is forecast on Sunday,” the Met Service reported.

“Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 35 km (25 miles) from the centre and tropical-storm-force winds extend as far as 205 km (125 miles) from the centre.”

Elsa is moving very quickly towards the west-northwest near 50 km/h (31 mph); however, a decrease in forward speed is expected later today and Sunday, followed by a turn towards the northwest on Sunday night or Monday.

“On its forecast track, the centre of Hurricane Elsa will move near the southern coast of Hispaniola later today and tonight, pass northeast of Jamaica on Sunday morning, then move over parts of eastern Cuba later in the day.”

Weather conditions over Jamaica are expected to start deteriorating this evening with widespread rain spreading from eastern parishes to the rest of the island. 

The Met Service said wind speeds will gradually climb to tropical-storm-force during the night and early on Sunday. with dangerous sea conditions continuing across the central Caribbean today.

“All 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 sea conditions have returned to normal,” the Met Service added as it noted that it continues to monitor the progress of the system.

The next bulletin on Hurricane Elsa will be issued at 11:00 am.