NASSAU, The Bahamas - THE BAHAMAS DEPARTMENT OF METEOROLOGY HAS ISSUED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING WITH EFFECT FROM 4:00 PM UNTIL 6:00PM THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2014.

A SEVERE WEATHER WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR THE ISLAND OF NEW PROVIDENCE AND ITS ADJACENT WATERS.

AT 3:55PM OBSERVATION, RADAR AND SATELLITE IMAGERY SHOWED CLUSTERS OF ACTIVE THUNDERSTORMS JUST WEST OF NEW PROVIDENCE AND ACROSS THE CENTRAL PORTION OF THE ISLAND MOVING EASTWARDS.

SOME OF THESE THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE SEVERE AT TIMES CAUSING STRONG GUSTY WINDS, DANGEROUS LIGHTNING, HEAVY DOWNPOURS, HAIL AND POSSIBLE WATERSPOUT OR TORNADIC ACTIVITY. LOCALIZED FLOODING COULD OCCUR IN LOW LYING AND FLOOD PRONE AREAS.

BOATERS IN THE WARNING AREA SHOULD SEEK SAFE HARBOUR 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.