Tomas now a hurricane

The Meteorological Service of Jamaica is now reporting that Tomas is now a hurricane, the 12th of the 2010 Atlantic Hurricane Season.



At 1:00 a.m., the centre of Hurricane Tomas was located near latitude 13.3 degrees north and longitude 60.7 degrees west Tomas is moving toward the west-northwest near 24 km/h. This motion is expected to continue with a gradual decrease in forward speed tonight and Sunday. On the forecast track, the centre of Tomas will pass near St. Lucia and St Vincent this afternoon and enter the eastern Caribbean Sea by tonight.



Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 120 km/h, with higher gusts. Tomas is now a category one Hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale. Additional Strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours.



Tropical Storm Tomas has the potential to become a significant threat to weather conditions over Jamaica and its territorial waters over the next few days. All interests are, therefore, advised to pay close attention to Releases issued by the Meteorological Service.