A tropical storm watch is now in effect for Jamaica as tropical depression #9 continues to strengthen over the central Caribbean sea while moving closer to the island.

A tropical storm watch means that tropical storm conditions pose a possible threat to Jamaica, within the next 48 hours.

The depression is expected to become a tropical storm by tonight.

At 4:00 PM the centre of the depression was located about 690 kilometres east-south-east of Kingston.

On the current forecast track, tropical #9 will move over the waters south of Hispaniola on Saturday, then move closer to Jamaica’s southwestern coastline, as a tropical storm, between Saturday night and Sunday.

The Tropical Depression is moving towards the west-northwest near 24 km/h (15 mph).

A westward motion is expected to begin tonight and continue through Saturday night followed by a turn towards the northwest and north-northwest on Sunday.

Maximum sustained winds are near 55 km/h (35 mph) with higher gusts and some slow strengthening is forecast over the next day or so. The depression is expected to become a tropical storm by tonight. More significant intensification is forecast on Sunday.