Hurricane Rina Could Affect Jamaica

Hurricane Rina continues to strengthen, as the likely possibility exists that higher-than-normal waves could affect the western coastline of Jamaica by Thursday, according to the Meteorological Service.

At 4.00 a.m. today, the eye of Hurricane Rina was located near Latitude 17.5 degrees north and Longitude 84.2 degrees west or about 380 km southeast of Cozumel, Mexico.

Rina is moving toward the west near 7 km/h. A turn toward the west-northwest is expected tonight, followed by a gradual turn toward northwest and a slight increase in forward speed is expected later today…followed by a turn towards the north by late by Thursday.

On the forecast track, the centre of Rina will approach the eastern coast of Yucatan Peninsula within the warning area on Thursday.

Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 175 km/h, with higher gusts.

Rina is a category two hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale and has the potential to become a major hurricane today or tonight. Some weakening is likely after Rina moves near or over the Yucatan Peninsula.

The Meteorological Service will continue to monitor the progress of this system.