Tropical Depression Number 18 has strengthened into Tropical Storm Rafael.
This means that tropical storm conditions are expected to affect Jamaica within the next 6 to 12 hours.
At 4:00 PM, the centre of Tropical Storm Rafael was located about 280 kilometres south of Kingston, or 355 kilometres southeast of Negril Point.
The Met Service says Tropical Storm Rafael is moving toward the north near 9 miles per hour and a north-westward motion is expected to begin later tonight, with the forecast to continue for the next few days.
Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 45 miles per hour with higher gusts.
Steady to rapid strengthening is now forecast and the system is expected to become a hurricane on Tuesday.
On the forecast track, Rafael is expected to continue moving towards Jamaica this evening and be near Jamaica by late tonight or early on Tuesday, near or over the Cayman Islands on Tuesday night and approach Cuba on Wednesday.
Moderate to heavy showers and thunderstorms are affecting sections of most parishes and the rainfall is expected to become widespread across the island as the system approaches Jamaica from the south.
As the rain continues, flooding and landslides are possible in vulnerable sections of the island.
All small craft operators, including fishers from the cays and banks should by now be in port and are urged to complete their necessary safety precautions without delay.
