KINGSTON, Jamaica — A squall line across Jamaica on Friday evening caused power outages in some areas with its strong winds and heavy rains.

A squall line is a group of storms arranged in a line, often accompanied by “squalls” of high wind and heavy rain. Squall lines tend to pass quickly and can be hundreds of miles long but are typically only 10 or 20 miles wide.

Shortly after reports reached Observer Online regarding sudden gusts of strong winds followed by heavy rains. The Meteorological Service of Jamaica (Met Service) had confirmed that the country experienced a squall line.

“Are you wondering about that strong gust of wind with showers and lightning? It is referred to as a squall line…sudden start lasting for a short while and drifting from one area to the next,” the Met Service shared via X.

The freak storm started sometime after 8:00 pm and lasted less than 20 minutes.

There were brief interruptions in power services in some areas.

The Met Service had earlier forecasted partly cloudy and windy conditions along the south coast.