THE BAHAMAS DEPARTMENT OF METEOROLOGY HAS EXTENDED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FROM 4:15 PM EDT UNTIL 6:15 PM WEDNESDAY 04TH MAY, 2016.

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR BIMINI, GRAND BAHAMA, THE BERRY ISLANDS, NORTH ANDROS, NEW PROVIDENCE AND THEIR ADJACENT WATERS.

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH IS NOW IN EFFECT FOR ABACO.

AT 4:10 PM OBSERVATION, RADAR AND SATELLITE IMAGERY CONTINUE TO DISPLAY A BROAD AREA OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS MOVING NORTHEASTWARDS FROM SOUTH FLORIDA TOWARDS THE PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED ISLANDS. THIS SYSTEM IS ASSOCIATED WITH PRE-FRONTAL ACTIVITY AHEAD OF AN APPROACHING COLD FRONT IN THE VICINITY OF NORTH-CENTRAL FLORIDA.

SOME OF THESE THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE SEVERE AT TIMES CAUSING STRONG GUSTY WINDS, DANGEROUS LIGHTNING, HEAVY DOWNPOURS, HAIL AND POSSIBLE WATERSPOUT OR TORNADO ACTIVITY. RESIDENTS SHOULD TAKE ALL PRE-CAUTIONS TO PROTECT PROPERTY AS FLOODING IS LIKELY IN LOW LYING AREAS AND FLOOD PRONE AREAS.

BOATERS IN THE WARNING AREA SHOULD SEEK SAFE HARBOUR IMMEDIATELY AND RESIDENTS IN THE WARNING AREA SHOULD STAY INDOORS AND AWAY FROM WINDOWS WHEN CONDITIONS WORSEN. RESIDENTS SHOULD NOT SEEK SHELTER UNDER TREES OR IN WATER AS THESE CAN BECOME LIGHTNING CONDUCTORS.