KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Meteorological (Met) Service has continued the severe weather alert for Jamaica as Tropical Storm Matthew continues moving westward through the eastern Caribbean and could become a hurricane by tonight.

At 4:00 am the centre of Tropical Storm Matthew was located near latitude 14.0 degrees North, longitude 64.7 degrees West or 500 km east northeast of Curacao, the Met Service said in a release today.

Matthew is moving towards the west near 26 km/h. This general westward motion with some decrease in forward speed is expected during the next couple of days.

On the forecast track, the centre of Tropical Storm Matthew is forecast to pass to the north of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao on Friday. Forecast models expect the storm to continue on its westward path on Saturday and then turn towards the north bringing it closer to the Jamaica area on Sunday and Monday, the release said.

Maximum sustained winds are near 100 km/h with higher gusts. The Met Service said gradual strengthening is expected during the next couple of days, and Matthew could become a hurricane by tonight.

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

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