Cabinet approves amendment to Visa requirements with Russian Federation.
Cabinet has given approval for an amendment to the agreement between the Government and the Russian Federation for the waiver of visa requirements for periods not exceeding 90 days per annum.
Speaking at today’s (September 26), post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House, Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, pointed out that the initial agreements of 2013 and 2014 had set out varying visiting periods of 30 to 90 days.
The Minister said the waiver will allow mutual visits of citizens of Jamaica and the Russian Federation to facilitate tourism and business purposes for periods not exceeding 90 days per annum.
Senator Reid noted that drafting instructions have been issued to effect the necessary changes.
The Minister pointed out that more details will be provided on the implementation.
Registration of Private Candidates for January 2019 CXC CSEC Examinations
Private candidates who wish to register for the January 2019 Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC), are hereby informed that registration will take place from 1st – 5th October, 2018.[READ MORE]
BULLETIN # 4 issued at 5:00 PM, Wednesday September 26, 2018 by the Meteorological Service.
A Tropical Storm Warning remains in effect for Dominica.
A tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected to spread across Dominica by Thursday and continue into Friday.
At 5 pm, Tropical Storm Kirk was located near latitude 12.7 North and longitude 55.7 West or 420 miles or 675 kilometers east south-east of Dominica. Maximum sustained winds remain near 60mph and extends 115 miles from the center of the system. Kirk is now moving west north-westward near 18 mph. On the forecast track, the center will move over the Lesser Antilles within the Tropical Storm Warning area Thursday afternoon into the evening.
The forecast is for moderate to heavy showers, periods of rain and scattered thunderstorms along with tropical storm force winds to begin affecting Dominica by Thursday morning. The current rainfall projection is for accumulations of at least 4 to 8 inches (100 to 200 mm) with isolated higher amounts in elevated areas between Thursday and Friday.
People in areas prone to flooding, landslides and falling rocks are advised to be extremely vigilant and to exercise extreme caution as life threatening flash flooding and landslides are possible. A FLOOD WARNING will be in effect for Dominica during the period.
Residents are advised to be on the alert and do not become complacent as Kirk approaches. Take all necessary precautions to protect life and property and preparations should be rushed to completion by tonight.
Large waves of up to 4.0m (13 feet) and dangerous rip-tides can be expected. These will create unsafe conditions for small-craft operators. These adverse sea-conditions are expected to persist into the week-end when northerly swells being generated by Post-Tropical Cyclone Leslie in the north-central Atlantic, will move southwards across the Lesser Antilles.
Mariners and other users of the sea should remain extremely cautious and make all necessary preparations to protect property and should by now be in port. Small craft operators and sea-bathers are advised to stay out of the water. A High-Surf Advisory and Small-Craft Warning will remain in effect for Dominica until 6am Monday October 1st.
A small-craft Warning means in this case that mean seas equal to or greater than 3m (10ft) will be affecting the marine area.
A High-Surf Advisory is issued when breaking wave action poses a threat to life and property within the surf zone.
Barbados: The Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training has advised that due to the inclement weather expected with the passage of Tropical Storm Kirk, all public educational institutions will be closed tomorrow, Thursday, September, 27.
These include all government day nurseries, primary and secondary schools and tertiary institutions.
Following a pre-strike meeting with all relevant stakeholders held on Wednesday 26th September 2018 and on gaining important information from the Saint Lucia Met Service about the passing of Tropical Storm Kirk, it has been decided that all schools across Saint Lucia will be closed on Thursday 27th September 2018 and all students are expected to stay home. Schools will remain closed on Friday 28th September 2018. However, all principals and teachers are expected to report to school tomorrow from 9am to activate their continuous operations plans.
All private and public work institutions will remain open. If any information contrary to this becomes available it will be released in reasonable time.
Information received at the pre-strike meeting from the Saint Lucia Met office is that Saint Lucia remains under Tropical storm warning. The first effects of Tropical storm Kirk are expected to be felt in Saint Lucia at approximately midday tomorrow Thursday 27th. The full effect of the storm should be felt around 8pm. The storm is forecasted to carry a lot of rain. These rains will continue into Friday.
The National Emergency Management Organisation urges all citizenry to be prepared and to heed any information relayed over the media. And to always remember to only take note of the information disseminated by the NEMO secretariat and the Saint Lucia Met Services.
Any additional information will be put out in reasonable time by these organisations via the Government Information Service.
BULLETIN Tropical Storm Kirk Advisory Number 12
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL122018
500 PM AST Wed Sep 26 2018
…KIRK EXPECTED TO BE NEAR THE LESSER ANTILLES TOMORROW
AFTERNOON…
SUMMARY OF 500 PM AST…2100 UTC…INFORMATION
———————————————-
LOCATION…12.7N 55.7W
ABOUT 260 MI…415 KM E OF BARBADOS
ABOUT 380 MI…615 KM ESE OF MARTINIQUE
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS…60 MPH…95 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT…WNW OR 285 DEGREES AT 18 MPH…30 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE…998 MB…29.47 INCHES
WATCHES AND WARNINGS
——————–
CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY:
None.
SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for…
* Barbados
* St. Lucia
* Dominica
* Martinique
* Guadeloupe
A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for…
* St. Vincent and the Grenadines
A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are
expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours.
A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are
possible within the watch area, in this case within 36 hours.
Interests elsewhere in the central and northern Lesser Antilles
should monitor the progress of Kirk as additional warnings or
watches could be issued tonight.
For storm information specific to your area, please monitor
products issued by your national meteorological service.
DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK
———————-
At 500 PM AST (2100 UTC), the center of Tropical Storm Kirk was
located near latitude 12.7 North, longitude 55.7 West. Kirk is
moving toward the west-northwest near 18 mph (30 km/h), and this
motion is expected to continue over the next few days. On the
forecast track, the center of Kirk will move over the Lesser
Antilles within the Tropical Storm Warning area Thursday afternoon.
Maximum sustained winds are near 60 mph (95 km/h) with higher gusts.
Little change in strength is forecast until Kirk crosses the Lesser
Antilles, followed by weakening over the eastern Caribbean Sea.
Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 115 miles (185 km)
from the center.
The estimated minimum central pressure is 998 mb (29.47 inches).
HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
———————-
WIND: Tropical storm conditions are expected to first reach the
warning area by Thursday afternoon, making outside preparations
difficult or dangerous. Tropical storm conditions are possible
within the watch area by Thursday afternoon.
RAINFALL: Kirk is expected to produce total rainfall of 4 to 6
inches across the northern Windward and southern Leeward Islands
with isolated maximum totals up to 10 inches across Martinique and
Dominica. These rains may produce life-threatening flash floods and
mudslides.
NEXT ADVISORY
————-
Next intermediate advisory at 800 PM AST.
Next complete advisory at 1100 PM AST.
BULLETIN
Tropical Storm Kirk Intermediate Advisory Number 11A
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL122018
200 PM AST Wed Sep 26 2018
…KIRK STRENGTHENS SOME MORE BUT LITTLE ADDITIONAL CHANGE IN
STRENGTH EXPECTED THROUGH THURSDAY…
SUMMARY OF 200 PM AST…1800 UTC…INFORMATION
———————————————-
LOCATION…12.5N 55.0W
ABOUT 305 MI…495 KM E OF BARBADOS
ABOUT 430 MI…695 KM ESE OF MARTINIQUE
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS…60 MPH…95 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT…W OR 280 DEGREES AT 18 MPH…30 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE…998 MB…29.47 INCHES
WATCHES AND WARNINGS
——————–
CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY:
None.
SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for…
* Barbados
* St. Lucia
* Dominica
* Martinique
* Guadeloupe
A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for…
* St. Vincent and the Grenadines
A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are
expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours.
A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are
possible within the watch area, in this case within 36 hours.
Interests elsewhere in the central and northern Lesser Antilles
should monitor the progress of Kirk as additional warnings or
watches could be issued later today.
For storm information specific to your area, please monitor
products issued by your national meteorological service.
DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK
———————-
At 200 PM AST (1800 UTC), the center of Tropical Storm Kirk was
located near latitude 12.5 North, longitude 55.0 West. Kirk is
moving toward the west near 18 mph (30 km/h). A westward to
west-northwestward motion is expected over the next few days. On
the forecast track, the center will move over the Lesser Antilles
within the Tropical Storm Warning area Thursday night.
Reports from an Air Force Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicate that
the maximum sustained winds have increased to near 60 mph (95 km/h)
with higher gusts. Little change in strength is forecast until Kirk
crosses the Lesser Antilles, followed by weakening over the eastern
Caribbean Sea.
Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 115 miles (185 km)
from the center.
The minimum central pressure estimated from Air Force Hurricane
Hunter observations is 998 mb (29.47 inches).
HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
———————-
WIND: Tropical storm conditions are expected to first reach the
warning area by Thursday afternoon, making outside preparations
difficult or dangerous. Tropical storm conditions are possible
within the watch area by Thursday afternoon or evening.
RAINFALL: Kirk is expected to produce total rainfall of 4 to 6
inches across the northern Windward and southern Leeward Islands
with isolated maximum totals up to 10 inches across Martinique and
Dominica. These rains may produce life-threatening flash floods and
mudslides.
NEXT ADVISORY
————-
Next complete advisory at 500 PM AST.
BULLETIN
Tropical Storm Kirk Advisory Number 11
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL122018
1100 AM AST Wed Sep 26 2018
…KIRK A LITTLE STRONGER…
SUMMARY OF 1100 AM AST…1500 UTC…INFORMATION
———————————————–
LOCATION…12.1N 54.3W
ABOUT 360 MI…575 KM ESE OF BARBADOS
ABOUT 485 MI…780 KM ESE OF MARTINIQUE
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS…50 MPH…85 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT…W OR 280 DEGREES AT 18 MPH…30 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE…1002 MB…29.59 INCHES
WATCHES AND WARNINGS
——————–
CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY:
None.
SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for…
* Barbados
* St. Lucia
* Dominica
* Martinique
* Guadeloupe
A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for…
* St. Vincent and the Grenadines
A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are
expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours.
A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are
possible within the watch area, in this case within 36 hours.
Interests elsewhere in the central and northern Lesser Antilles
should monitor the progress of Kirk as additional warnings or
watches could be issued later today.
For storm information specific to your area, please monitor
products issued by your national meteorological service.
DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK
———————-
At 1100 AM AST (1500 UTC), the center of Tropical Storm Kirk was
located near latitude 12.1 North, longitude 54.3 West. Kirk is
moving toward the west near 18 mph (30 km/h). A westward to
west-northwestward motion is expected over the next few days.
On the forecast track, the center will move over the Lesser Antilles
within the Tropical Storm Warning area Thursday night.
Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 50 mph (85 km/h)
with higher gusts. Little change in strength is forecast until
Kirk crosses the Lesser Antilles, followed by weakening over the
eastern Caribbean Sea.
Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 115 miles (185 km)
from the center.
The minimum central pressure estimated from Air Force Hurricane
Hunter observations is 1002 mb (29.59 inches).
HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
———————-
WIND: Tropical storm conditions are expected to first reach the
warning area by Thursday afternoon, making outside preparations
difficult or dangerous. Tropical storm conditions are possible
within the watch area by Thursday afternoon or evening.
RAINFALL: Kirk is expected to produce total rainfall of 4 to 6
inches across the northern Windward and southern Leeward Islands
with isolated maximum totals up to 10 inches across Martinique and
Dominica. These rains may produce life-threatening flash floods and
mudslides.
NEXT ADVISORY
————-
Next intermediate advisory at 200 PM AST.
Next complete advisory at 500 PM AST.
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL122018
500 AM AST Wed Sep 26 2018
…KIRK REGENERATES INTO A TROPICAL STORM OVER THE WESTERN TROPICAL
ATLANTIC…
…TROPICAL STORM WARNINGS AND WATCHES ISSUED FOR PORTIONS OF THE
LESSER ANTILLES…
SUMMARY OF 500 AM AST…0900 UTC…INFORMATION
———————————————-
LOCATION…11.8N 52.7W
ABOUT 470 MI…755 KM E OF BARBADOS
ABOUT 595 MI…955 KM ESE OF MARTINIQUE
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS…45 MPH…75 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT…W OR 280 DEGREES AT 18 MPH…30 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE…1004 MB…29.65 INCHES
WATCHES AND WARNINGS
——————–
CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY:
The government of Barbados has issued a Tropical Storm Warning for
Barbados. The government of St. Lucia has issued a Tropical Storm
Warning for St. Lucia.
The government of Barbados has issued a Tropical Storm Watch for
St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for…
* Barbados
* St. Lucia
A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for…
* St. Vincent and the Grenadines
A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are
expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours.
A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are
possible within the watch area, in this case within 36 hours.
Interests elsewhere in the central and northern Lesser Antilles
should monitor the progress of Kirk as additional warnings or
watches could be issued later today.
For storm information specific to your area, please monitor
products issued by your national meteorological service.
DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK
———————-
At 500 AM AST (0900 UTC), the center of Tropical Storm Kirk was
located near latitude 11.8 North, longitude 52.7 West. Kirk is
moving toward the west near 18 mph (30 km/h). A westward to
west-northwestward motion is expected through Friday night. On the
forecast track, Kirk is expected to approach Barbados and the
northern Windward Islands Thursday afternoon and move into the
eastern Caribbean Sea by Friday morning.
Maximum sustained winds are near 45 mph (75 km/h) with higher gusts.
Little change in strength is forecast until Kirk moves through the
central Lesser Antilles Thursday afternoon and evening. Rapid
weakening is expected on Friday after Kirk emerges over the
Caribbean Sea.
Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 115 miles (185 km)
from the center.
The estimated minimum central pressure is 1004 mb (29.65 inches).
HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
———————-
WIND: Tropical storm conditions are expected to first reach the
warning area by Thursday afternoon, making outside preparations
difficult or dangerous. Tropical storm conditions are possible
within the watch area by Thursday afternoon or evening.
RAINFALL: Kirk is expected to produce total rainfall totals of
4 to 6 inches with maximum totals of 10 across the northern Windward
and southern Leeward Islands from Barbados and St. Lucia northward
across Martinique, Dominica, and Guadeloupe. These rains may
produce life-threatening flash floods and mudslides.
NEXT ADVISORY
————-
Next intermediate advisory at 800 AM AST.
Next complete advisory at 1100 AM AST.
Tropical Weather Outlook
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL
800 AM EDT Tue Sep 25 2018
For the North Atlantic…Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico:
The National Hurricane Center is issuing advisories on Subtropical
Depression Leslie, located a little over 1100 miles west-southwest
of the Azores.
1. A broad area of low pressure located about 260 miles south of Cape
Hatteras, North Carolina, continues to produce showers and
thunderstorms on its north side. Satellite and surface data
indicate that the circulation of the low is elongated and not well
organized. However, this system could still become a tropical
depression later today while it moves northwestward. By tonight and
Wednesday, additional development appears unlikely, due to strong
upper-level winds, while the system moves northward and
north-northeastward near the southeastern United States coast.
Regardless of tropical cyclone formation, this system is likely to
bring scattered showers and thunderstorms across portions of
northeastern South Carolina and eastern North Carolina later today
and tonight. In addition, dangerous surf conditions and rip
currents are expected along portions of the North Carolina coast
today. For more information, please see products from your local
National Weather Service office.
* Formation chance through 48 hours…medium…50 percent.
* Formation chance through 5 days…medium…50 percent.
2. The remnants of Kirk are located about 950 miles east of the
Windward Islands and are moving quickly westward at around 25 mph.
This system continues to produce a large area of showers and
thunderstorms, along with winds to near gale force in gusts on its
north side. However, satellite data indicate that the system still
lacks a closed circulation. This disturbance could redevelop into a
tropical cyclone during the next day or two before it moves
into an area of highly unfavorable upper-level winds while it
approaches the Caribbean Sea. Interests in the Windward and
Leeward Islands should monitor the progress of this disturbance as
gusty winds and locally heavy rains are likely over the next couple
of days even if the system does not redevelop into a tropical
cyclone. For more information on this system, see High Seas
Forecasts issued by the National Weather Service.
* Formation chance through 48 hours…medium…60 percent.
* Formation chance through 5 days…medium…60 percent.
3. Subtropical Depression Leslie is forecast to become post-tropical
today after it merges with a cold front over the central Atlantic.
After that time, Leslie is expected to reacquire subtropical or
tropical characteristics by the end of the week as it meanders over
the central Atlantic.
* Formation chance through 48 hours…low…near 0 percent.
* Formation chance through 5 days…high…70 percent.
High Seas Forecasts issued by the National Weather Service can be
found under AWIPS header NFDHSFAT1, WMO header FZNT01 KWBC, and
on the Web at https://ocean.weather.gov/shtml/NFDHSFAT1.shtml.
