A severe weather alert is in effect for Jamaica

The Met Office says a strong tropical wave is to enter the Caribbean with high chance of further development.

The strong tropical wave is producing an area of disturbed weather east of the southern windward islands and is about to enter the southern Caribbean Sea.

The wave is showing signs of becoming better organized, and there is a high potential for development into a tropical depression over the next couple of days.

As the disturbance moves west-north-westward toward the central Caribbean later this week, there is an increasing threat of severe weather to Jamaica, as it moves close to the island and over its territorial waters by Saturday morning.

The Met Office says it is also likely that it would be a tropical cyclone at that time.

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

The Met Service says it continues to monitor the progress of this system and all interests are encouraged to pay special attention to further releases.

The next bulletin on this system will be issued at 11:00 tonight.