Tropical wave south of Hispaniola eyed for Monday as Jamaica sees fair skies tonight

Jamaica can expect mostly fair conditions tonight while meteorologists watch tropical waves moving through the Caribbean, including one south of Hispaniola that is likely to approach the island on Monday.

Across the open Caribbean, the waves are not producing widespread heavy weather, though they carry a strong wind signature. One feature sits over the central Caribbean just south of Hispaniola, with isolated showers along the northern part of its axis. It is advancing slowly over open water and is expected to reach the Jamaica area sometime Monday.

Farther west, a broad cloud field is in place, aided by a weak mid- to upper-level trough. Isolated showers and thunderstorms are tied to that activity, much of it affecting western Cuba.

Tonight, skies should remain generally fair islandwide. Temperatures are forecast to fall to about 26°C in Kingston. Coastal winds are light, around five knots from the north on the south coast and from the east-southeast on the north coast.

Sunday morning looks partly cloudy in the east and generally fair elsewhere. Afternoon isolated showers are likely in Westmoreland and Hanover, with showers also expected in St. Elizabeth. Highs are forecast near 36°C in Kingston and Montego Bay.

The southeast should stay partly cloudy for much of Sunday. The southwest is likewise mostly partly cloudy, though St. Thomas may see isolated afternoon showers. Afternoon showers are also likely in Montego Bay and Lucea. Inland spots including Bog Walk, Golden Spring, Mulgrave and Christiana are expected to turn partly cloudy by afternoon. Showers are possible at Grange Hill and Duncans, while the northeast remains partly cloudy through much of the day.

Looking ahead, cloud cover, showers and possible thunderstorms are expected to increase on Monday. Tuesday brings isolated inland showers. Wednesday is forecast partly cloudy in both the morning and afternoon.

Sunday winds on the north coast are easterly at 10 to 15 knots, with seas of one to one-and-a-half metres. On the south coast, east-southeast winds of 15 to 20 knots are expected, with seas between one-and-a-half and two metres. A small craft warning remains in effect for offshore areas, where easterlies of 20 to 25 knots and seas of two to two-and-a-half metres are forecast. That warning is likely to continue into Monday with similar easterlies of 20 to 25 knots, easing slightly to 15 to 20 knots on Tuesday and Wednesday.