The Bahamas Department of Meterology has amended its Severe Thunderstorm warning for BIMINI, ANDROS, BERRY ISLANDS, NEW PROVIDENCE AND THE NORTHERN EXUMA CAYS TO NOW INCLUDE GRAND BAHAMA, ABACO and ELEUTHERA from 6:00PM EDT UNTIL 8:00PM WEDNESDAY 18TH MAY, 2016.

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING continues BIMINI, ANDROS, BERRY ISLANDS, NEW PROVIDENCE, NORTHERN EXUMA CAYS AND NOW INCLUDES GRAND BAHAMA, ABACO AND ELEUTHERA AND THEIR ADJACENT WATERS AND CAYS.

AT 6:00PM,observation, radar and satellite imagery continued to display a broad band of strong thunderstorms moving Eastwards towards and over the afore-mentioned islands. This system is associated with a shortwave upper trough moving Eastwards from the Gulf of Mexico across SouthEast Florida and the NorthWest Bahamas.

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 PRECAUTIONS TO PROTECT PROPERTY AS FLOODING IS LIKELY IN LOW LYING AREAS AND FLOOD PRONE AREAS.

BOATERS IN THE WARNING AREAS SHOULD SEEK SAFE HARBOUR IMMEDIATELY AND RESIDENTS IN THE WARNING AREAS 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.

Issued by Duty Forecaster: PATRICIA WEEKS