#TrackingIan | Storm could dump 200mm of rainfall over southern and eastern Jamaica

The Meteorological Service of Jamaica says Tropical Storm Ian has the potential to produce 100-200millimetres of rainfall, mainly over eastern and southern parishes as it passes close to the island on Saturday night and Sunday. 

It gave the update in its 11 p.m. bulletin. 

It added that flash flooding is likely over low-lying and flood-prone areas during the weekend and on Monday. 

Tropical Depression #9 that was been making its way through the central Caribbean Sea was upgraded hours ago to Tropical Storm Ian, the ninth named storm of the season.  

Earlier today, the Met Service issued a tropical storm watch for Jamaica, which remains in effect. That means tropical storm conditions could start affecting Jamaica within 48 hours. 

In its 10 p.m. update today, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said Ian is expected to produce heavy rainfall and instances of flooding and possible mudslides in areas of higher terrain, particularly over Jamaica and Cuba. 

The NHC said hurricane conditions are possible in the Cayman Islands by early Monday, with tropical storm conditions possible in Jamaica on Sunday. 

The local Met Service said Ian is moving west-northwest, near 12 miles per hour. A westward or west-northwestward motion is expected through early Sunday. 

Maximum sustained winds are near 65 kilometres per hour or 40 miles per hour with higher gusts. Strengthening is forecast during the next few days, and Ian is expected to become a hurricane on Sunday night. 

Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 55 kilometres or 35 miles, from the centre. 

The next update is scheduled for 5 a.m. on Saturday. 

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