Several schools across the island have been impacted due to the severe weather facing the country.

Jamaica is under a severe weather alert until 5 o’clock on Thursday afternoon.

This, as a broad trough currently across the southwestern Caribbean sea is drifting towards the island. 

Cloudy conditions with widespread showers, thunderstorms, and gusty winds are already impacting most parishes.

These conditions are expected to continue through to Saturday morning.

Among the schools impacted are Knox College in Clarendon, which has suspended classes and the Sydney Pagan High School in St Elizabeth which will dismiss at midday.

Several primary schools across central parishes are also expected to close at midday.

Over in St James, reports are that the Knockalva Technical High School is among schools that have seen a low turnout of students due to heavy rain.

In a release on Wednesday, the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) advised the public to be ready to evacuate if they live in low-lying or flood-prone areas.

ODPEM says citizens should avoid flooded waterways such as fords, gullies, streams or rivers, either on foot or in vehicles.