CARIBBEAN DEPRESSION NEARING TROPICAL STORM STRENGTH

September 17, 2002 — At 11 p.m. EDT, the center of tropical depression ten was located near latitude 16.9 north, longitude 77.9 west or about 100 miles southwest of Kingston, Jamaica. The depression is moving toward the northwest near 7 mph, and this motion is expected to continue during the next 24 hours, according to the NOAA National Hurricane Center in Miami, Fla. (Click NOAA satellite image for larger view of tropical depression ten taken at 10:45 p.m. EDT on Sept. 17, 2002. Click here to see latest view. Please credit “NOAA.”)

Maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph with higher gusts. The depression will likely become a tropical storm on Wednesday. Most of the strongest winds with the depression are located well to the north and east of the center. If strengthening occurs, tropical storm force winds could spread over portions of Jamaica within the next 12 to 24 hours.

Estimated minimum central pressure is 1006 mb, 29.71 inches. Heavy rains are expected to spread over Jamaica over the next 24 hours, and these rains could cause life-threatening flash floods and mud slides.

The government of Jamaica has issued a tropical storm warning for Jamaica. A tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected within the warning area within the next 24 hours. The government of the Cayman Islands has issued a tropical storm watch for the Cayman Islands. A hurricane watch may be required for portions of western Cuba on Wednesday.

For storm information specific to your area, please monitor products issued by NOAA National Weather Service local forecast offices.

Click NOAA tracking map for larger view.

Relevant Web Sites
NOAA's National Hurricane Center — Get the latest advisories here

El Niño Expected to Impact Atlantic Hurricane Season, NOAA Reports

Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale

NOAA's River Forecast Centers

NOAA's Flood Products

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Media Contact:
Frank Lepore, NOAA's National Hurricane Center, (305) 229-4404