The Meteorological Service has continued the severe weather alert, now effective until 6:00 a.m. tomorrow. 

The tropical wave over the central Caribbean Sea has developed into a broad area of low pressure and has become better organized while moving closer to the island. 

The Met Office says, this system has the potential to develop into a tropical cyclone near Jamaica.

Satellite, radar and surface observations indicate that the broad area of low pressure over the central Caribbean Sea continues to become better defined, with winds near 72 kilometres per hour, though it still lacks a well-defined centre. 

Environmental conditions are forecast to become more conducive for development and a tropical storm is expected to form later today, while the system moves slowly over the central Caribbean Sea.

This means that tropical storm conditions could pose a possible threat to Jamaica later this week.

When the system is in the vicinity of Jamaica, it is expected to produce heavy rainfall and strong, gusty winds, primarily over eastern and southern parishes late Wednesday and Thursday. 

The rainfall could continue into the weekend.

For the marine areas, the forecast is for widespread showers and thunderstorms, which may be heavy at times, with strong gusty winds to affect all marine zones on Wednesday and Thursday, especially inshore and offshore the south coast.

Fishers on the cays and banks are further urged to complete their preparations and be on the alert to evacuate.