KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Meteorological (Met) Service has issued a severe weather alert as Tropical Storm Matthew could bring stormy conditions the island.

The alert is effective until 5:00 am Thursday.

“On the forecast track, the centre of Matthew will move through the Windward Islands during the next couple of hours, and move over the southern and central Caribbean Sea through Friday.  Thereafter, it could move closer to Jamaica and pose a direct threat to the island,” the Met Service said in a release.

Tropical Storm Matthew formed near the eastern Caribbean this morning. At 10:00 am the centre was located near latitude 13.4 degrees north, longitude 60.7 degrees west or 55 km southeast St Lucia.

Read:Tropical Storm Mathew forms in the Windward Islands

Matthew is moving towards the west near 33 km/h. A westward motion with some decrease in forward speed is expected during the next couple of days.

Maximum sustained winds are near 95 km/h with higher gusts. Gradual strengthening is forecast during the next couple of days, and Matthew could become a hurricane by Friday, the release added.

Met Service has advised that Fishers on the cays and banks commence preparations with a view to evacuate, should it become necessary.

The Met Service said it will continue to closely monitor this system.