Tropical Depression 5 has formed and is forecast to travel near Jamaica. Attached is a picture of the projected path and the latest travel advisory from http://www.wunderground.com/tropical/

Note that the forecast shows it being only a Tropical Storm or Cat 1 by the time it reaches the island around Sunday night and a local radio report said it would only be a Tropical Storm. Keep those prayers coming and fingers crossed.


Statement as of 5:00 am AST on August 25, 2006
...Depression almost a tropical storm...

at 500 am AST...0900z...the center of Tropical Depression Five was located near latitude 13.4 north...longitude 65.7 west or about 345 miles...560 km... south of San Juan Puerto Rico.

The depression is moving toward the west near 20 mph and a motion generally toward the west-northwest with some decrease in forward speed is expected for the next day or so.

Maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph...55 km/hr...with higher gusts. Some strengthening is forecast during the next 24 hours and the depression could become a tropical storm later today or tonight.

The estimated minimum central pressure from ship observations is 1005 mb...29.68 inches.

Rainfall accumulations of 1 to 2 inches can be expected in association with the depression across portions of the Windward Islands... Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

Repeating the 500 am AST position...13.4 N...65.7 W. Movement toward...west near 20 mph. Maximum sustained winds...35 mph. Minimum central pressure...1005 mb.

The next advisory will be issued by the National Hurricane Center at 1100 am AST.

I wish the fisherman would come in from the Cays.

Looks like the storm, now named Ernesto, has sped up a bit and is now predicted to pas over JA around 2pm Sunday and still be only a tropical storm.

Let's hope Cuba (And JA!) doesn't get more than it can handle.

From http://www.wunderground.com/tropical/tracking/at200605.html

My husband cam in from the Cay's (thank God!) I hope everyone comes in.

My thoughts & prayers are with Jamaica.