NHC Meets, Watch Continues

Published 26th August, 6:03pm

Tropical Storm Ernesto, though still potentially dangerous to the Cayman Islands, has commenced a track which is expected to take it to the north of the Cayman area. However, given the potential for change and in the light of its intensification, all interests in the Cayman Islands, particularly the Sister Islands, are advised to continue preparations and to monitor local weather reports.

This is the advice of the National Hurricane Committee which met at 4:30 pm today (Saturday). The NHC continues to maintain its Hurricane Watch for the Cayman Islands.

With the system at 4:30 pm being 600 miles southeast of Cayman Brac, if the current track continues, the Sister Islands can still expect a more severe impact than Grand Cayman.

"Notwithstanding its current position, all residents of the Cayman Islands should continue to maintain vigilance," said NHC Chair Donovan Ebanks.

He noted that Tropical Storm Ernesto is expected to increase in intensity, becoming a hurricane as it approaches Jamaica. Even if the system maintains its current track, the Cayman Islands is likely to experience rough seas and strong winds, accompanied by heavy rains.

Based on the 4pm advisory, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman are expected to experience tropical storm force winds (greater than 39mph) from before dawn on Monday until late evening, while Grand Cayman would experience gusty conditions but not of tropical storm force intensity.

Details of Tropical Storm Ernesto at 4:00 p.m. today:

Longitude: 71.6 W

Latitude: 1591 N

Proximity: 375 miles (600 km) ESE of Kingston, Jamaica

Speed of system and direction of movement: WNW near 13mph (20kph)

Maximum sustained wind speed: near 60mph (95kph). Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 115 miles (185 km) from the centre.

Gusts: Intermittent higher gusts

Minimum central pressure: estimated 997mb

For further information contact: Pat Ebanks