Jamaica forecast: Showers, thunderstorms and small craft warnings through Friday

Jamaica’s May 25 weather outlook points to mostly fair conditions overnight, followed by showers and isolated thunderstorms on Tuesday as tropical waves and upper-level weather features influence sections of the Caribbean.

Cloudy weather remained over the southern Caribbean during the evening, while tropical waves continued to move through the region. Isolated thunderstorm activity was noted over open waters south of Puerto Rico, and scattered mid- to upper-level cloud cover was present across the western Caribbean. A weak upper-level trough was also helping to support afternoon showers and thunderstorms near Jamaica.

For Monday night, generally stable weather was forecast across most of the island, with fair skies expected. Temperatures were projected to fall to 25°C, while winds on both the north and south coasts were expected at about 5 knots.

On Tuesday morning, showers are expected mainly over eastern Jamaica, with additional rainfall possible across sections of the north-central parishes. By afternoon, scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms are forecast for central and western parishes. Kingston is expected to reach a high of 34°C, while Montego Bay is forecast to peak at 33°C.

Morant Bay is likely to see morning showers. Afternoon showers and possible thunderstorms are forecast for Mandeville, Santa Cruz, Black River, Savannah-la-Mar and Negril. Isolated showers are also expected in sections of Christiana, Green Island, Golden Spring and Montego Bay.

The unsettled pattern is expected to continue into the latter part of the week, with scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms forecast for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

Marine interests are being urged to note small craft warnings for inshore areas along the north coast, where winds are expected to reach 25 knots. On the south coast Tuesday, east-southeasterly winds are also forecast to reach 25 knots, with wave heights rising to 2.5 metres. The warning also applies to offshore areas, where easterly winds of 20 to 25 knots and seas up to 2.5 metres are expected.

Marine conditions are expected to persist on Wednesday and Thursday, before winds ease to between 15 and 20 knots on Friday. Sunset on Tuesday is forecast for 6:35 p.m. in Kingston and 6:41 p.m. at Negril Point.