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- Trough bring light rain to Jamaica
  • By Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Sat, 17 Apr 2010 12:32:31 -0700 (PDT)

Since yesterday, Friday the weather across Jamaica has been mostly cloudy and humid with outbreaks of light rain. The weather has persisted into today and we have been having continuous light rain all day. Jamaica is being influenced by a trough across the Western and Central Caribbean.  So far past 24hrs ending 1pm …..10mm/0.40, and it has been raining continuously since.

Forecast

The weather is not looking pleasant for visitors as these unstable conditions are expected to last through the weekend as the Trough gradually moves toward Jamaica by Monday. The forecast therefore, is for periods of showers and isolated thunderstorms across most parishes with more significant activity for eastern parishes. The Meteorological Service of Jamaica has issued a Flash Flood Warning for eastern Jamaica. A Flash Flood Warning means that flooding has been reported or will occur shortly. Motorists and pedestrians should not attempt to cross  flooded roadways or other low-lying areas as strong currents are likely. Residents in low-lying areas should be on the alert for fast rising waters and be ready to move quickly to higher ground. We can look for improvement on Monday, with the return of partly cloudy skies. We are happy for the rain as Jamaica has been in a very severe drought.

gfs model data

source http://wxmaps.org/pix/ezla.today.html

 

For the latest news release on the bad weather

http://www.metservice.gov.jm/news.asp

 
Satellite image
 
 
 


- Partly cloudy with abundant sunshine
  • By Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Sat, 10 Apr 2010 00:50:31 -0700 (PDT)

It has been a partly cloudy Friday, with the typical few patches of puffy cumulus clouds at 2400ft/731m. Unlike yesterday, when we had a light afternoon shower, this afternoon remain nice and sunny. Today’s high was officially at 31 deg C/ 87 deg F, the low was one degree warmer with the mostly cloudy skies overnight at 24 deg C/ 75 deg F at mbj.

 

Forecast

 

Saturday weather will be very much like Friday’s. Pleasant with lots of sunshine, the high

Will remain at 31 deg C/ 87 deg F, the low back to 23 deg C to account for the clear skies tonight. Winds will be from the ENE between 10-20mph.

Extended Forecast

Next seven days features the return of the High Pressure Ridge early next week and continued dominance through the week. For the next five days, the weather will be mainly sunny with chance of an afternoon shower on Tuesday.

Mango season on the horizon, seeing a few green ones already.



- Light afternoon shower
  • By Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Thu, 8 Apr 2010 21:46:09 -0700 (PDT)
Partly cloudy in Montego Bay for much of today. A  few light showers this afternoon, barely enough to wet the ground but just enough to cool the air. Today's High 31 deg C/88 Deg F, Low 23 deg C/ 73 deg F.
 
Forecast
 
Similar weather tommorrow, Partly cloudy skies with a chance of an quick afternoon shower. High will get up to 31 deg C/88 Deg F, lows 23 deg C/ 73 deg F.
 
This hurricane season is shaping up to be very active. Below are some videos with anaysis and reasons from accuweather
 
 
 
 


- Great weather
  • By Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Tue, 6 Apr 2010 17:17:05 -0700 (PDT)

Great weather continues across Montego Bay and Jamaica. For the past two weeks the weather has been pleasant with abundant sunshine. The heat and humid of summer has started early this year. Great news for visitors, and lovers of beach days, but the drought woes continue to deepen. There are places in Jamaica have yet to receive rain  since the start of the year, last year was not much better with well below normal rainfall.

 

According to (ODPEM, 2008) Jamaica is particularly vulnerable to the drought hazard because of the following reasons: As a developing country, Jamaica is particularly vulnerable to drought as we rely heavily on agriculture.

Jamaica lies within the tropics and so we are dependent on more than one rainy season. A deficiency in any one season can produce a damaging drought. The increase in Jamaica's population due to urbanization, has led to a great increased demand for an already limited supply of water. Limited/poor national water storage systems.

 

Five Day Forecast (April 7-12)

The weather for the next five days is dominated by a High Pressure Ridge across the central Caribbean.

 Expect sunny to partly cloudy weather, rather comfortable with sea breezes (NE-E) 10-25mph.

Highs daily... 86 deg F/30 deg C,

Lows …74 deg F/23 deg C.

 Water temperatures around 83 deg F/28 deg C.

Sunrise for Montego Bay  6:02 a.m, Sunset 6:27 p.m.

Sunrise for Negril 6:03 a.m Sunset 6:28 p.m.

Wave heights … 1.5 to 2.0 metres….4 to 6 ft

 

Latest Doppler Radar  http://www.metservice.gov.jm/radarpage1.asp

 

satellite   http://wwwghcc.msfc.nasa.gov/GOES/GOES23152010096ptOv7u.jpg

 

Works cited

ODPEM. (2008). ODPEM types of disasters. Retrieved april 6, 2010, from http://www.odpem.org.jm/DisastersDoHappen/TypesofHazardsDisasters/Droughts/LearnMoreAboutDrought/tabid/286/Default.aspx.

 

 



- Drought conditions,cool and windy,Mourning Air jamaica
  • By Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Sat, 6 Mar 2010 18:40:39 -0800 (PST)

The drought situation continues to worsen in Jamaica. Since the start of the year, the number of rainy days can be counted on hand less than 10. It has been one year since the drought has started; businesses, farmers, householders have been feeling the effects. The food belt of Jamaica, St. Elizabeth has been hit hard. Farmers have lost their crops, business are searching for supplies and household have to do much substitution, in addition to daily lock offs from the water commission for water conservation. In fact, some items have vanished from local markets, and thus cost of fruits and vegetables have gone up.

The drought has lead to many rivers and streams with dry beds or stagnant water and there are now concerns about vector –borne disease.

 We have been getting lots of cool weather. Every few days there is another cold front passes, but again no rain just clouds. This winter we have seen many days with daily highs less than 23 deg C/73 deg C and lows near 18 deg c/64 deg F.

The drought and cooler weather has been wonderful to the Jamaica’s visitors. Often they ask, “Is the weather always this nice here, it is not humid and hot as we feared it would be yet it is sunny?”  It has been like this since last year.

Outlook for the next two weeks

Cool, dry and Windy conditions to persists as Atlantic High pressure dominates.

Highs daily 26 deg C lows 20 deg C

Happening in Jamaica

On the topic of tourism, it is a very sad time as the Government of Jamaica has sold the piece of Jamaica that flies, Air Jamaica to Trinidad’s Caribbean Airlines. All the staff of Air Jamaica is to be made redundant on April 13th, When Caribbean Airlines takes over. The saddest part is, In this morning in the local paper, the Trinidadian Works Minister is quoted as saying they will not keep the colors and brand Air Jamaica, they only want Air Jamaica’s profitable routes. Therefore, our nation is now without a national airline.

Story Imbert: CAL to take over Air Jamaica’s profitable routes

http://guardian.co.tt/business/business/2010/03/05/imbert-cal-take-over-air-jamaica-s-profitable-routes



- Jamaica responds to the horror in Haiti.
  • By Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Wed, 13 Jan 2010 18:43:22 -0800 (PST)

It is a very sad time for Jamaica as we mourn with our sister island, Haiti after a strong earthquake devastated Port-Au- Prince killing thousands. The first indication of something serious was Tuesday afternoon, when several persons from Eastern Jamaica called radio Jamaica and local stations reporting they had felt an earthquake. In the hours that followed, the grim news started to emerge from Haiti. It was so strong in Haiti; persons almost 300 miles away in Eastern Jamaica felt the earthquake.

 

Jamaicans are very committed to helping Haiti. In 2004, when there was unrest, the ousted Jean Bertrand Aristide resided for a while, along with the many refugees that followed. In 2008, Jamaica assisted with relief efforts after a series of tropical storms devastated the country.

This time is no different, many Jamaica are pooling the little resources available to help Haiti. Several charities, churches, corporate and government agencies have started to collect cash and kind.

 

There are many Jamaicans in Haiti, most work for Digicel. There are plans to bring repatriate them. The Prime Minister of Jamaica and a delegation will be visiting Haiti on Thursday, to see how best we can help. There is also a team of 150 Jamaica Defense Soldiers ,mostly engineers and medical, to assist as best as possible. They will leave by sea vessel between midnight tonight and tomorrow.

 

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) has activated a pledge desk for persons wishing to volunteer their expertise or make donations.

The telephone numbers are (876)906-9674-5 and (876)754-9077-8.

 

Director General of the ODPEM, Ronald Jackson, says organisation and coordinating efforts are the immediate challenges confronting his team for the first 48 hours in the absence of vital information coming out of Haiti.

In order to assist with the critical search and rescue exercise, Mr Jackson says among the items to be sent to Haiti are generators, lanterns, water containers and woolen blankets, first aid kits and tarpaulin as well as temporary housing units.

 

 



- Cold Grips Jamica and the world.
  • By Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Mon, 11 Jan 2010 04:32:04 -0800 (PST)

It is a cold morning in Jamaica, at 7:00 am both Montego bay and Kingston reporting  66 deg F/19 deg C. Yesterday, January 10, we had a almost continuous light showers and the temperature fell to officially  a low of  62.4  deg F/16.9 deg C this is at sea level. I wonder how cold it was at the Blue Mountains at over 7000 ft. Many persons are wearing jackets and sweaters, not the best weather for our visitor who came to escape the cold from the north.

The high in Montego Bay was 22 deg C.

It is still very warm compared to the current conditions in South Florida, Miami 36 deg F / 2 deg and Kendall 32 ° deg/ 0 deg C  (6:53 AM EST ).

In fact, The National Weather Service in Miami on Saturday night was investigating nearly a dozen reports from West Palm Beach on down to Kendall from weather observers who said they saw snow flurries mixed in with the rain that fell in the afternoon. Light snow also fell in parts of central Florida, which briefly accumulated slightly in parts of Marion County. Sleet was widespread and snow was isolated across the Orlando area and in Melbourne. So interesting times across the world as the cold takes over.



- stormy conditions as
  • By Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Wed, 23 Dec 2009 09:51:08 -0800 (PST)

Last night I posted about the heavy rainfall affecting Jamaica. A few hours after, the torrential rain may have been responsible for the crash of the American Airlines plane. The aircraft overshot the runway and was seconds away from the ocean. If it were not for the slope of the beach, we would have had serious causalities. The mystery is why did the plane break up, It broke up into three pieces, both engines also broke off. Two passengers were thrown from the aircraft.

 

On Rjr this afternoon, a conductor on the Jutc bus, which was travelling from Harbourview to Port Royal gave an account of events. They were driving towards Port Royal, when the bus driver remarked I wish I were going onto one of those planes. The next thing was the plane was running across the road. They were the first responders; they opened the door and took passengers to the airport police station. It was on their second trip, they saw the first fire trucks. Everyone worked together and a major disaster was averted.

 

There was a speci issued at 10:25 when the aircraft overshot the runway.

 

SPECI MKJP 230325Z 32011KT 22000 +SHRA BKN014 FEW016CB SCT030 BKN100 21/19 Q1014 RETSRA

 

(source http://www.wunderground.com/history/airport/MKJP/2009/12/22/DailyHistory.html )

 

3inches/75mm of rainfall for the past 24hrs.

 

There was heavy rain, broken clouds at 1400ft, cumulunomibus at1600ft, scattered clouds at  300ft and broken clouds at 10000ft.

 

Why did the plane try to land in these adverse weather conditions?

 

The investigations continue ....



- Heavy Rains in Kingston
  • By Susan Mains <susanroaming at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Tue, 22 Dec 2009 20:11:05 -0800 (PST)
Goodnight Everyone,

We've been having a lot of heavy rains in Kingston today (continuing on from yesterday) and it's still pouring down at the moment. There's been a lot of flash flooding around the island and the roads are also looking the worse for wear at the moment.

Up until the last couple of days it has been extremely dry--and there's been serious concerns about water shortages, especially coming into the new year. I live close by the Mona Reservoir and have never seen it this low before.

If you are out on the road--drive safely (look our for those water-logged potholes!)--and walk good.

Susan.
 
********************************
Dr. Susan Mains
Department of Geography and Geology
The University of the West Indies, Mona



- Flash Flood Warning, Heavy rain affects NERN Parishes
  • By Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Tue, 22 Dec 2009 17:25:06 -0800 (PST)

Today (Tuesday, December 22, 2009) Moderate to heavy rainfall blanketed Jamaica. Northeastern Parishes of St. Mary, St. Ann and Portland were hardest hit. Many homes were flooded, others were destroyed. A seven-year girl old drowned in Day Mountain St. Mary. The rain has caused some communities to be cut off due to landslides and reports.

The adverse weather conditions result from a Frontal system and a Trough near Jamaica. The cool rainy, conditions are expected to continue to influence the weather across the island until Thursday. A Flash Flood Warning is in effect until 5.p.m on Wednesday.

Before the rainfall, Jamaica was in its worst drought in over a decade, the Mona reservoir, which supplies water to Kingston & St. Andrew was at its lowest in twenty years, and is projected to dry up early next year. I hope that we can get some rain in the catchment areas.

Rainfall for past 24 hrs ….Montego Bay 25mm/1inch

There is a automated weather station up in Southern Montego Bay, The website is  http://www.myweatherstation.esmartdesign.com/

Doppler radar

http://www.metservice.gov.jm/radarpage1.asp

 

 

 



- Heavy rain from Ida.
  • By Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Sat, 7 Nov 2009 15:10:47 -0800 (PST)

For the second day, Tropical storm Ida has provided Montego Bay with torrential rainfall. This afternoon, another 2inches /50mm of rain has fallen bring the 24hr rainfall total to 4inches/102mm. The heavy rains had turned streets in rivers. Motorist had to pullover as the water seemed to be pushing cars off the road. The rain has since ceased but both local and Cuban. Doppler radars show a large area of showers pushing into our area. More rain is forecast tonight into Monday.

Today’s stats

High 32.8 deg C

Low 23.4 deg

Events Haze, Clouds covering more than half the sky, Heavy rain, Lighting.

 

Accuweather’s Joe Bastardi has some interesting analysis on Ida

http://www.accuweather.com/video-on-demand.asp?video=44795589001

Cuban radar link

http://www.insmet.cu/asp/genesis.asp?TB0=PLANTILLAS&TB1=RADAR&TB2=../Radar/NacComp200Km.gif

Cancun radar link

http://smn.cna.gob.mx/

Jamaica radar link, now works.

http://www.metservice.gov.jm/radarpage1.asp



- Heavy rain Friday afternoon
  • By Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 20:40:07 -0800 (PST)

Partly cloudy skies existed across much of Jamaica, until this afternoon when Montego Bay had a deluge. The heavy rain started at 5:00pm est. and continued until 6:15. The Montego Bay Airport reported 1inch /25mm of rain, while in Rose Hall, located twenty minutes from the airport, we had 2inches/50mm of rain. This is the heaviest rain we have had since the start of the year and the only real test to expose all the leaks .Which I have some work to do.

Today’s rainfall was induced by Tropical Storm Ida. She decided to leave Honduras and return to the water early. There are very warm waters in the Northwestern Caribbean Sea, however Ida, intensification will be hindered by strong wind shear .Slow strengthening is likely and Ida will likely peak as a Strong Tropical storm. The NHC has her merging with a cold front and becoming extra tropical west of the Tampa area. The Jamaica forecast is for more anytime scattered showers and thunderstorms through the weekend.

Today’s Stats

High 33.0 deg C

Low   24.1 Deg C

Peak sustained winds ENE 18mph

Rainfall 50mm/1.97inches

Events: Thunderstorms with heavy rain, clouds covering more than half the sky (afternoon).

Link Metservice Jamaica Doppler radar

http://www.metservice.gov.jm/radarpage1.asp



- Nice weather
  • By Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 19:30:44 -0800 (PST)

Mostly fair conditions exist across Jamaica as Tropical Depression Ida moves across Nicaragua. Ida is a small system, which has kept the rain and cloudiness to the south and west of the Island,makinhg today a sunny, breezy day. The rain chance increases on Saturday as Ida reemerges in the Nwern Caribbean Sea. However Jamaica will not be directly impacted by Ida. The computer forecast models restrengthens Ida as a Tropical Storm as it heads towards the Yucatan on Saturday. When it enters the Gulf of Mexico , the intensity forecast gets complicated, as some models want to strengthen Ida, despite being in a highly sheared environment. The official Nhc forecast keeps Ida as 50mph tropical storm a couple hundred miles South of the Florida Panhandle, on Tuesday.

link Jamaica's Radar now functional

http://www.metservice.gov.jm/radarpage1.asp

 

 



- nice weather
  • By Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Tue, 27 Oct 2009 10:55:03 -0700 (PDT)
Mostly sunny skies are across Jamaica this afternoon with a nice seabreeze from 
the NE at 15mph . Sunday was excessively hot,the high was 97deg F/37 deg C a 
all time high record .             The forecast is for the fair conditions to 
continue for the week .


      


- more rain...
  • By Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Wed, 21 Oct 2009 14:13:48 -0700 (PDT)
The reminants of a stationary front along with a low pressure system near 
Honduras have continued to produce mostly cloudy conditions with periods of 
showers across the Island.              We had moderate but short-lived 
rainfall yesterday and again this afternoon there were some showers, this time 
light  bringing the 24hr total ending 4pm local time to 1.08in/27mm.            
 The weather is likely to worsen on Friday into Saturday, as the broad area of 
low pressure in the Gulf of Honduras is now forecast to move neward over 
Jamaica bringing stormy weather. This area will have to be monitored for 
tropical development.          From Montego Bay. 4:10pm local time .


      


- Dull weather
  • By Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Tue, 20 Oct 2009 12:47:29 -0700 (PDT)
Mostly cloudy skies continue to dominate Montego Bay&#39;s weather. This 
resulting from a frontal system combined with a tropical wave.                  
         There are more clouds than anything else. The 24hr rainfall total 
ending 8:00am 0.26/7mm.Today&#39;s high 88deg F/31degC. Low 75F/24C.            
  The cloudness and intermittent shower will continuethoroughThursday .         
      From Montego Bay , Oct20&#39;  2:45pm local time


      


- cold front brings cooler weather .
  • By Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Mon, 19 Oct 2009 14:01:47 -0700 (PDT)
After a few peeps of sunshine this morning,skies have become overcast with   
occasional showers with the passage of a cold front.                         
The winds have picked up to 10knots and seas are a moderate chop.              
Rainfall for the past 24hrs ending 8:00am 0.44in/11mm. Lowest temperature( 
monday)73deg F/23 deg C .High temperature 86/30.  From Montego Bay.


      


- lots of clouds,little rain.
  • By Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Sun, 18 Oct 2009 11:05:59 -0700 (PDT)
It is a mostly cloudy afternoon in Montego Bay. There are many dark,high clouds 
making a cool afternoon. Both winds and seas are calm. Low temperature sunday 
76 deg F/24 deg C. High (previous day) 92 deg F/34 deg C.  Light rain 
yesterday,0.11in/3mm.


      


- Friday AM
  • By "Suzanne" <suz at xaymaca.info>
  • Date: Fri, 2 Oct 2009 12:39:45 -0600
Good Morning to all,
 
Had some wanderful rain over night here at Falmouth, we so needed it, it has been very hot with only a small amount of rain in the afternoons and I mean small.
 
Last nights storm also contained high gust's of wind so we have lost some bannana but not winging as we have got off lightly so far.
 
A few large blobs flowing from Africa should keep us on our toes.
 
Wishing you all a joyfull weekend
 
Suzanne

- lunchtime rains in Kingston
  • From: Susan Mains <susanroaming at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Tue, 1 Sep 2009 11:05:39 -0700 (PDT)
Hello Everyone,

The weather has been hot here in Kingston. We've just had a heavy rainshower over lunchtime, which is starting to ease off.

Looks as if it will be a good idea to keep an eye on the Invest 94L system to the east to see how it shapes up in the next couple of days. (I'm also making a note to myself to get some extra drinking water, candles and fuel for the stove--trying to avoid the last minute craziness!)


Hope Baja California holds up ok.

Walk good.

Susan.
 
********************************
Dr. Susan Mains
Department of Geography and Geology
The University of the West Indies, Mona
Kingston 7, Jamaica, West Indies.



- Tropical wave formerly ana brings squalls.
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Tue, 18 Aug 2009 15:24:07 -0700 (PDT)

This afternoon the remnants of former tropical storm Ana moved across Jamaica bringing heavy rain and gusty winds. The rain started at 1:00pm and cleared by 3p.m. At its peak of the bad weather Montego Bay reported winds at 26kts /30mph heavy rain with thunder.  Kingston (based on airport hourly observation) at midday, reported squalls with sustained winds at 26kts/30mph with gust to 36kts/41mph. The winds shifted from NE to SW which created some problems at the airport. Aircraft had high wind shear, cross shear and turbulence to contend with which caused slight delays.The skies have cleared.

The past few month have been extremely dry. We are offically in the worst drought since 1994.

The National Water Commission (the local water agency) is now moving to implement contingency measures to help Jamaicans cope.  The drought conditions have resulted in the Hermitage Dam reaching 27 per cent of its capacity. It’s now an offence to irrigate and water gardens and lawns, fill ponds, baths, as well as swimming pools and elevated reserve tanks exceeding 200 gallons.

Restrictions have also been placed on the watering or washing of roadways, pavements, paths, garages, motor vehicles or any other purpose, which may require the use of a considerable quantity of water.

Persons found violating this prohibition notice may be fined or imprisoned for up to 30 days.

The link below is an article about the droughts impact on the island.

http://www.go-jamaica.com/news/read_article.php?id=11573

The met service Jamaica Doppler is now up and running .

Visit http://www.metservice.gov.jm/radarpage1.asp

 

 

 



- Thunderstorm in Kingston
  • From: Susan Mains <susanroaming at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Fri, 14 Aug 2009 18:58:29 -0700 (PDT)
Hello Everyone,

After a bit of a dry spell there's been thunderstorms and quite a lot of rain here in Kingston this evening. The thunder seems to be gradually moving away now, but if you're out on the road be prepared for some possible flash flooding.

Walk good, Susan.
 
********************************
Dr. Susan Mains
Department of Geography and Geology
The University of the West Indies, Mona
Kingston 7, Jamaica, West Indies.




- We should keep an eye on this one...
  • From: NegrilTracy at aol.com
  • Date: Mon, 20 Jul 2009 17:54:21 EDT
current track has it possibly coming straight across Jamaica:
Hopefully it won't develop but it could once it hits the warmer water in the Caribbean so good idea to be prepared just in case!!!
One Love,
Tracy
Kingston

- Rains in Kingston
  • From: Susan Mains <susanroaming at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Wed, 10 Jun 2009 10:06:06 -0700 (PDT)
Hello Everyone,
 
We've just had quite heavy rains here in Kingston, it's easing up now, but there's still a lot of low lying cloud cover. If you're out on the road, keep an eye out for flash flooding.
 
Walk good.
 
Susan.
 
********************************
Dr. Susan Mains
Department of Geography and Geology
The University of the West Indies, Mona
Kingston 7, Jamaica, West Indies.


- weather update, Jamaica
  • From: Jeremy Hood-Daniel <edx111 at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Mon, 8 Jun 2009 14:26:36 -0700 (PDT)
Very quiet here in Westmoreland since yesterday morning, with light showers, no wind, total overcast, calm seas.
Tends to flood here in heavy rains, especially since a "developer" decided to fill and dump the natural storm drains taking flood waters from the interior of Westmoreland to the sea.
I live on the outskirts of Savlamar, so we pray for no heavy rain!
Temperature now 30C at 16.30 local time


- perfect morning
  • From: "sue morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Mon, 1 Jun 2009 09:29:15 -0500
Just an absolutely perfect Ocho Rios morning. Slight breeze, sun shining, slight ripple on the water. What more could we ask for!
 
What we ask is that continues until December 1.
 
Sue M
 
 

- Let the Season Begin
  • From: "sue morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Sun, 31 May 2009 09:56:19 -0500
Morning all after a long absence from the "rock"
 
Well, can you imagine here we are again, June 1 peeping in our door. Can't believe that the time has gone so quickly, so I thought I better get to spend some time at the computer.
 
Tis a glorious Jamaica Sunday morning, slight breeze, sun with a likkle cloud cover from time to time, ripple on the water. Washing out on the line, dogs waiting until we mention that "swim" word. What more could one ask for.
 
One of our dogs think he was born to rescue people from the water, so when we go out with the floaters, he immediately jumps in to the water and swims like mad to catch us and then grabs the edge of the floater in his mouth and heads back to shore. Pointless trying to stop him as he is a powerful swimmer. Just go with the flow and do it all over again. I figure this is the best exercise for him. The other one tries to jump on the floater when it is being rescued, so we have the "dog in the water" circus going on.
 
We have had our share of rains over the past few weeks, but we are in May which is one of our rainy months. The rains were desperately needed, however not with the volume we experienced from time to time. There was of course flooding in some areas which happens every year and we still don't learn not to build on the river banks or low lying areas, nor do we begin cleaning the drains until the first major "whoooooops" happens. Oh well, the pleasures of living on the rock.
 
Time to pay attention now and hopefully everyone has already started gathering provisions together and sorting out their hurricane box. Don't leave it until the last minute - it's not worth it.
 
Time for us to start blowing plenty of hot air to keep the storms away from Ja.
 
Sue M

- Rain has stopped in Kingston (for now...)
  • From: Susan Mains <susanroaming at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Thu, 21 May 2009 20:42:25 -0700 (PDT)
Good Evening,

Well, the rain has finally stopped for a bit in Kingston this evening, but it's been a wet and soggy day. From just before 1pm we had heavy rain that tapered off later in the afternoon, then started to drizzle a bit again in the early evening.

There is a flash flood and landslide warning out just now.

Just driving around town this afternoon you could already see problems--flash flooding, traffic lights not working--if possible, it's best to avoid going on the road at these times.

Hope everyone is getting around gradually and safely on the rest of the island(s).

Walk good.
 
********************************
Dr. Susan Mains
Department of Geography and Geology
The University of the West Indies, Mona
Kingston 7, Jamaica, West Indies.



- Heavy Rains flood sections of the Island.
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Wed, 20 May 2009 21:20:15 -0700 (PDT)

Jamaica has been experiencing heavy rain fall since Sunday. Montego Bay as of this evening, May 20, 2009 has seen 6 inches/152.4mm of rain, which is an average of 2inches/50mm of rain daily as a result many roads in the hilly areas of St.James, Hanover and Westmoreland are blocked or impassable.  Eastern Jamaica based on evening news reports have also been hit hard. Students sitting the cxc’s in Portland and St. Thomas because of many blocked and inundated roadways were told to sit the exams at the high nearest to them , while in Spanish Town the water reportedly rose in some areas up to five feet high.

We are however grateful it could be worse; the same area of disturbed weather has flooded some sections of Western and Southern Haiti. It is reported by the BBC, two youth died while business was brought to a standstill in one southern city, Les Cayes, roads were turned into rivers.

The Haitian government says it will be opening up storm shelters for people who have been flooded out of their homes. The forecast is for the heavy rain to continue across Haiti and the Dominican Republic and localized flooding will continue, precautions should be taken in low lying areas .

Back in Jamaica, the local weather service has extended the FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR ALL PARISHES. We have been under flood watches and warnings since May 17. We can look for improvements in the weather on Saturday. For the latest news release visit http://www.metservice.gov.jm/news.asp

 

Cuban radar from http://www.met.inf.cu/Radar/NacComp200Km.gif

 

 

infra satellite from weather.msfc.nasa.gov



- Flash Flood Warning, Torrential rain 3.88inches/99mm in three hours. possible tropical storm/ sub tropical storm development later this week.
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Sun, 17 May 2009 17:45:00 -0700 (PDT)
Earlier this morning (May 17, 2009), Montego Bay experienced some torrential  rain. The rain started around 1 am and lasted until 4 am. At my home , 8km from the Sangster Airport, the rain total is 3.88inches/99mm, while the airport reported 2.71  inches It is with no surprise the Metrological Service has issued a Flash Flood Warning. A surface low is forecast to develop along the surface trough which has brought all this rain, It should move north of the Caribbean by Monday night possibly into  an early season tropical storm/ sub tropical storm bring up to 8inches of rain to Florida.
 
Below blogs about the possible tropical storm/ sub tropical storm development later this week.
 
 

 

For the latest news release from the National Meteorological Service Jamaica

 

http://www.metservice.gov.jm/news.asp

 

 

 

Cuban radar from http://www.met.inf.cu/Radar/NacComp200Km.gif

 

infra satellite from weather.msfc.nasa.gov

 

48hr forecast watching low near South Florida

 

72 hrs forecast watching low crossing into the Gulf

 

 

 

 



- Raining in Kingston
  • From: Susan Mains <susanroaming at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Sat, 16 May 2009 21:51:57 -0700 (PDT)
Good Evening Everyone,

Well, we're definitely getting more rain now, quite a change from a couple of weeks ago.

It has been raining in Kingston for the past 4 or so hours. We've been having occasional thunder and lightning, but it seems to be moving away now. Hoping there's not too much flooding in low-lying areas.

Keep safe.

Susan.
 
********************************
Dr. Susan Mains
Department of Geography and Geology
The University of the West Indies, Mona
Kingston 7, Jamaica, West Indies.



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