Hazy, windy conditions forecast for Jamaica into weekend

Jamaica is expected to remain under hazy and windy conditions through the end of the week, with partly cloudy skies forecast for several areas and isolated thunderstorm activity possible in the west by Sunday.

Cloud cover developed across sections of the island during the afternoon, especially over northern and western parishes, as moisture lingered over the central Caribbean. High pressure, however, continues to influence much of the Caribbean Sea and the surrounding open waters.

A shallow trough remains to the west, helping to produce areas of cloud, showers and thunderstorms. An upper-level trough is also supporting the development of that unsettled weather, while activity linked to the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone is contributing to cloudiness over the southern Caribbean.

For tonight, conditions are forecast to be mainly fair, with the minimum temperature near 26 degrees Celsius. Winds along both coasts are expected to blow from the east at about 10 knots.

On Thursday morning, partly cloudy skies are expected, with a thin layer of haze continuing from tonight into tomorrow. Similar partly cloudy and hazy weather is forecast for the afternoon. Kingston is expected to reach a high of 36 degrees Celsius, while Montego Bay should reach 35 degrees.

Windy and hazy weather is forecast across many areas, from Morant Bay to Mandeville and from Santa Cruz to Falmouth. Brown’s Town should see partly cloudy skies, while generally sunny weather is likely for St. Ann’s Bay and Ocho Rios. Stronger winds are expected along the north-eastern section of the island, with haze also forecast for Golden Spring, Bog Walk, Mocho, Christiana, Green Hill and Duncans.

Partly cloudy and hazy conditions should continue on Friday and Saturday. By Sunday, isolated thunderstorms are possible over western Jamaica.

Small craft warnings remain in effect for inshore areas of the north coast and south coast, as winds may reach 25 knots and seas may rise to 2.5 metres. The warning also extends to offshore southern waters. Those conditions are expected to last until about Saturday, before winds increase to around 30 knots on Sunday and waves build to near 3 metres.

Sunset is forecast for 6:37 p.m. in Kingston, 6:14 p.m. in Mandeville and 6:43 p.m. in Negril.