A TROPICAL STORM WATCH remains in effect for Jamaica as Elsa develops into a hurricane before entering the Caribbean.  This means that tropical storm conditions continue to pose a possible threat within the next 48 hours.

The Meteorological Service says at 8:00 a.m. the centre of Hurricane Elsa was located near Latitude 13.1 degrees North, Longitude 60.1 degrees West, or about 1,800 kilometres (1,125 miles) east-southeast of Morant Point, Jamaica.

This is also 120 kilometres (75 miles) east of St Vincent in the Eastern Caribbean.

Elsa is moving quickly towards the west-northwest near 44 km/h (28 mph) and this general motion is expected to continue during the next couple of days.

Maximum sustained winds have now increased to near 120 km/h (75 mph), with higher gusts, and little change in strength is forecast during the next 12-24 hours.  Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 35 km (25 miles) from the centre and tropical-storm-force winds extend as far as 220 km (140 miles) from the centre.

On its forecast track, the centre of Hurricane Elsa will move over the eastern Caribbean today and continue through the central Caribbean, south of Hispaniola, on Saturday before passing just east and north of Jamaica on Sunday morning.  Showers and thunderstorms, along with strong gusty winds, could begin to impact eastern sections of Jamaica as early as Saturday night.    Sea conditions associated with the hurricane are expected to deteriorate over the next 24-36 hours. All small craft operators including fishers from the cays and banks should this morning be arriving in port to start preparations for safe harbour ahead of the hurricane.   The Meteorological Service continues to monitor the progress of this system and it is likely that the Tropical Storm Watch will be upgraded in the next advisory.  All interests are, therefore, encouraged to pay special attention to further Releases.    The next Bulletin on Hurricane Elsa will be issued at 11:00 a.m. today.