Tropical Storm Tomas continues to move westward in the central Caribbean Sea - currently north of Columbia and intensification is still expected - perhaps rapid intensification later on Wednesday. At 31/15Z, the westernmost point in the NHC forecast prior to the anticipated northerly turn was 73.5W longitude. At 01/15Z that westernmost point was 74.8W and at 02/15Z that point is now 76.0W as Tomas continues westward.

Given this extended westward push and the expansion in storm size over the past 24 hours, tropical storm force winds are becoming more probable over eastern Jamaica and Haiti in less than 72 hours and perhaps over eastern Cuba and the western Dominican Republic later on Friday. Increasing likelyhood for heavy rainfall and hurricane force winds over Haiti on Friday and Saturday.
ED