The wave is now Tropical Storm Earl

TROPICAL STORM WATCH

Published 2nd August 2016, 7:40am

A strong tropical wave south of Kingston, Jamaica, continues to move quickly westward at about 20 mph. This system is likely to be upgraded to a tropical storm by the National Hurricane Center as the environmental conditions are expected to be conducive for additional development throughout the day. Thunderstorm activity associated with the wave remains organized, but the system still appears to lack a closed surface circulation. Regardless of development, locally heavy rainfall and strong winds, perhaps peaking to tropical storm force strength, can be expected from later today into this evening mainly across Grand Cayman. The weather impacts on the Sister Islands will be just slightly less than that expected over Grand Cayman and resident should still remain attentive to the weather bulletins.

Grand Cayman and the Sister Islands can expect an increase cloudiness and showers from afternoon as the wave moves into area. The current models indicate that rainfall maxima will pass to the south of Grand Cayman with 1 inch of rainfall expected over the Cayman Island; however, there is the potential for heavy showers along the periphery of the tropical wave which may lead to higher accumulation and to flooding of low lying areas. All residents should continue be attentive to any new weather bulletin that will ensue.

Moderate to strong east to southeasterly winds and rough seas with wave heights of 4 to 6 are expected this morning, becoming very strong with wave heights increasing to 7 to 9 feet by this evening. All marine interests should seek safe harbor and remain there until further notice.

 

Tropical Storm Watch Remains in Effect for Cayman Islands Issued at 10:00 p.m. August 1st 2016

A strong tropical wave southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, continues to move quickly westward at about 20 mph. This system is likely to be upgraded to a tropical storm by the National Hurricane Center as the environmental conditions are expected to be conducive for additional development overnight. Thunderstorm activity associated with the wave remains organized, but the system still appears to lack a closed surface circulation. Regardless of development, locally heavy rainfall and strong winds, perhaps peaking to tropical storm force strength, can be expected from late tonight into tomorrow evening across Grand Cayman and the Sister Islands.

Grand Cayman and the Sister Islands can expect an increase cloudiness and showers from late tonight as the wave moves into area with cloudy rainy conditions expected tomorrow. Additionally expect 1.00 to 1.25 inches of rainfall accumulation over the next 24-36 hours. Some of these showers will be locally heavy at time and possibly leading to flooding of low lying areas and all residents should continue exercise caution.

Moderate to strong easterly winds and rough seas with wave heights of 5 to 7 are expected through tonight, becoming very strong with wave heights increasing to 8 to 10 feet by tomorrow. All marine interests should seek safe harbor and remain there until further notice.

Hazard Management Cayman Islands is encouraging residents to bring furniture indoors to secure it. Important documents should be protected in waterproof bags or containers. Computer should be backed up. Drivers should exercise care on flooded roads.

For more information about preparing for tropical storms and hurricanes visit www.Caymanprepared.ky

TROPICAL STORM WATCH6 PM August 1, 2016

A strong tropical wave over the central Caribbean Sea, centered about 275 miles east-southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, continues to move quickly westward at about 20 mph. This system is likely to be upgraded to a tropical storm overnight by the National Hurricane Center when more information is available. Thunderstorm activity associated with the wave remains organized, but the system still appears to lack a closed surface circulation. Regardless of development, locally heavy rainfall and strong winds, perhaps peaking to tropical storm force strength, can be expected from late tonight into tomorrow evening across Grand Cayman and the Sister Islands.

Grand Cayman and the Sister Islands can expect an increase cloudiness and showers from late tonight as the wave moves into area with cloudy rainy conditions expected tomorrow. Additionally expect 1.00 to 1.25 inches of rainfall accumulation over the next 24-36 hours. Some of these showers will be locally heavy at time and possibly leading to flooding of low lying areas and all residents should continue exercise caution.

Moderate to strong easterly winds and rough seas with wave heights of 5 to 7 are expected through tonight, becoming very strong with wave heights increasing to 8 to 10 feet by tomorrow. All marine interests should seek safe harbor and remain there until further notice.

The next bulletin will be issued at 10 p.m. this evening.

Joint Marine Unit Issues Warning to All Boaters Due to Developing Tropical Storm

Due to tropical storm conditions developing across the region today, 1 August, the Joint Marine Unit strongly recommends that boating activities be suspended. Those who choose not to suspend boating activities should exercise extreme caution over the next 24-36 hours. Boat owners should take the necessary precautions to secure their vessels on land if possible, or to secure larger vessels in the water with docking lines and fenders.

The Joint Marine Unit also reminds all boaters to follow all local weather announcements closely.

 

SEVERE WEATHER WARNING

From Hazard Management Cayman Islands

August 1, 2016

Weather charts indicate that a strong tropical wave crossing Hispaniola is expected to continue to develop over the next 12-24 hrs. Satellite pictures show a large area of cloudiness associated with the system moving west at 20-25 mph. Data from the National Hurricane Center is showing winds of 40 to 45 mph in the northern section of the system. Regardless of development, locally heavy rainfall and gusty winds, perhaps to tropical storm force, are likely along the southern coast of the Dominican Republic and Haiti today. Tropical storm conditions are likely to occur over Jamaica by this afternoon or evening, and could reach the Cayman Islands overnight.

The Cayman area can expect an increase cloudiness and showers from late tonight as the wave moves into area, cloudy rainy conditions tomorrow. The Cayman area can expect 1.00 to 1.25 inches of rainfall accumulation is possible over the next 24-36 hours. This may lead to flooding of low lying areas and all residents should continue exercise caution.

Moderate to strong easterly winds and rough seas are expected through tonight, increasing thereafter. Seas will continue to be rough with wave heights of 5 to 7 feet especially along the east and south coasts. All marine interests should seek in safe harbor until further notice.

Hazard Management reminds residents that it is important to have a Hurricane Supply Kit ready during the season. Information about what to have in your kit can be found on www.Caymanprepared.gov.ky

Please follow this link to go directly to the Resident’s Hurricane Brochure. http://www.caymanprepared.ky/portal/page/portal/hmchome/resources/brochures/HM_BROCH_RESIDENT%20KIT_2014_FINAL_WEB.pdf

 

From NHC

TROPICAL WEATHER OUTLOOK
NWS NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL
800 PM EDT MON AUG 1 2016

For the North Atlantic…Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico:

1. A strong tropical wave over the central Caribbean Sea, located a
couple of hundred miles southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, continues to
move quickly westward at about 20 mph. Although the associated
shower and thunderstorm activity remains well organized, surface
observations indicate that the system still appears to lack a
closed surface circulation. Environmental conditions are expected
to be conducive for additional development, and a tropical storm
is likely to form later tonight or Tuesday morning. An Air Force
Reserve Reconnaissance aircraft is scheduled to investigate the
system Tuesday morning. Regardless of development, locally heavy
rainfall and gusty winds, perhaps to tropical storm force, will
continue over portions of the Dominican Republic and Haiti through
this evening. Tropical storm conditions are likely to occur over
Jamaica tonight, and could reach the Cayman Islands overnight.
Interests in these areas and elsewhere in the western Caribbean Sea
should continue to monitor the progress of this disturbance. For
additional information, see High Seas Forecasts issued by the
National Weather Service.
* Formation chance through 48 hours…high…80 percent
* Formation chance through 5 days…high…90 percent

High Seas Forecasts issued by the National Weather Service can be
found under AWIPS header NFDHSFAT1, WMO header FZNT01 KWBC, and on
the Web at http://www.opc.ncep.noaa.gov/shtml/NFDHSFAT1.shtml.

Forecaster Pasch

LOCAL FORECAST FROM NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE

Moderate northeasterly winds and seas along with isolated thundershowers are expected across the Cayman area for the next 24 hours as an upper level low moves over the extreme northwest Caribbean. Further east, a strong Tropical Wave over the central Caribbean is expected to move just east of the Cayman area tomorrow morning. Radar images show isolated showers in and around the Cayman area moving west.