Kingston, Jamaica — The Meteorological (Met) Service of Jamaica says a trough induced by Tropical Storm Erika is expected to dump heavy rain on Jamaica starting Saturday into Sunday morning.

The Met Service said Erika is currently 280 km west of Guadeloupe and is expected to move north of the Dominican Republic Friday. As a result, a trough induced by the tropical storm is expected over the central Caribbean which includes Jamaica.

A news release from the Met Service Thursday said that Erika is moving toward the west- northwest near 24 km/h and that this general motion is expected to continue for the next 48 hours.

It said on the forecast track the centre of Erika will move near the Virgin Islands this evening, move near or over Puerto Rico tonight, and then move near or over the Dominican Republic on Friday.

The Met service said the maximum sustained winds are near 75 km/h, with higher gusts and that no significant change in strength is forecast during the next 48 hours.

Tropical Storm Erika is not a threat to Jamaica at this time.