Tropical Storm Sandy continues to intensify and is moving north at 9 knots. At 24/00Z, Sandy was located about 185 miles south of Jamaica and the tropical cyclone is expected to make landfall on Jamaica Wednesday afternoon as a Cat I Hurricane and continue to move north over eastern Cuba early Thursday morning and continue its northern track into the Bahamas Thursday evening. Baroclinic influences from an approaching trough are expected to expand the windfield and reintensify the system as it exits northeast Cuba - however the system may well retain tropical or subtropical characteristics into the weekend.

The following Watches and `Warnings are in effect:

A HURRICANE WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR...
* JAMAICA
* CUBAN PROVINCES OF CAMAGUEY...LAS TUNAS...GRANMA...SANTIAGO DE
CUBA...HOLGUIN...AND GUANTANAMO

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR...
* HAITI
* THE CENTRAL BAHAMAS...INCLUDING CAT ISLAND...THE EXUMAS...LONG
ISLAND...RUM CAY...AND SAN SALVADOR.

A TROPICAL STORM WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR...
* THE SOUTHEASTERN AND NORTHWESTERN BAHAMAS

Because of the anticipation of an expanding windfield, a Tropical Storm Watch may be issued for the southeast Florida peninsula and the Keys later Wednesday morning. NHC suggests that interests in Southern and Central Florida should monitor the progress of Sandy. Heavy rains and life-threatening flash floods can be expected in Jamaica, Haiti, the Dominican Republic and eastern Cuba. Storm surge of 5 to 7 feet is possible in portions of the Bahamas along and near the center, and high waves and the potential for significant beach erosion will exist along the east coast of Florida from Friday through the weekend.
ED