Eastern Cuba on Alert for Tomas

By Circles Robinson

HAVANA TIMES, Nov. 3 — Cuba’s Meteorology Institute (INSMET) advised the country’s eastern provinces to remain on alert for the development and future path of Tropical Depression Tomas, in its latest report on the storm issued at 12:00 noon on Wednesday.

The Cuban forecasters noted that Tomas has weakened further and remains very unorganized with winds of 55 kph (35 mph).  It’s center was located at 420 kilometers (260 miles) south of Kingston, Jamaica and 490 kilometers (305 miles) south-southwest of Cabo Tiburon, Haiti.

INSMET said Tomas is moving west-northwest at a speed of 9 kph (6 mph).

The Institute predicts that Tomas will take a turn north and later north-northeast in the coming 24-48 hours while gradually increasing its movement speed and “possibly gain in organization and intensity and once again become a tropical storm on Thursday.”

Meanwhile, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami has declared a Tropical Storm watch for Jamaica.  In Haiti emergency preparations are underway in preparation for Tomas.