THE Meteorological Service of Jamaica is reporting that Tropical Storm Danny could become a hurricane by tomorrow.

The Met office said the centre of the Tropical Storm was yesterday evening located near Latitude 11.5 degrees north and Longitude 42.0 degrees west or about 2,130 kilometres east of the Lesser Antilles.

“Danny is moving towards the west at approximately 17 kilometres per hour (km/h). A west north-westward motion at a slightly slower forward speed is expected during the next 48 hours,” the Met office said in a release.

Maximum sustained winds remain near 85 km/h, with higher gusts. Some strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours, and Danny could become a hurricane by tomorrow.

“Tropical Storm Danny is not a threat to Jamaica at this time,” said Evan Thompson, senior meteorologist at the Met Service.

..St Lucians urgent to be vigilant as Danny approaches

CASTRIES, St Lucia, (CMC) – The St. Lucia government yesterday urged citizens not to be complacent as Tropical Storm Danny gains strength as it approaches the Lesser Antilles.

“We are nearly at the halfway point of the 2015 Atlantic hurricane season, and so far we have been blessed. The approaching system could change that.

“Danny, though a storm at the moment, is a salutary reminder that we must not be complacent. Rather, we must remain vigilant. We must remain vigilant not only for this system, but throughout the season and beyond. Ensure that you monitor closely the development of Tropical Storm Danny,” Prime Minister Dr Kenny Anthony said.

Anthony urged citizens to be on the alert and prepared. He said earlier this month he chaired a meeting of the National Emergency Management Advisory Committee (NEMAC) and he is hoping “God willing, they will not be needed, but the Committee stands ready to respond should a disaster strike”.

…Hurricane Hunter aircraft to be stationed in Barbados

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, (CMC) – A Hurricane Hunter aircraft is scheduled to land here today as Tropical Storm Danny approaches the eastern Caribbean.

The United States National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said the aircraft will fly missions starting tomorrow and into next week to gather more data about the system which is expected to become the Atlantic’s first hurricane.

The Hurricane Hunters are special aircraft used by the NOAA to conduct research, to support the mission of predicting changes in the earth’s environment and to manage coastal and marine resources.

The crews fly through hurricanes to help forecasters and scientists gather operational and research data.