KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Tropical Storm Watch for Jamaica has been upgraded to a Tropical Storm Warning, while a Hurricane Watch is now also in effect for the island as Hurricane Elsa barrels into the eastern Caribbean.

This means that tropical storm conditions, including possible sustained wind speeds of 34-63 knots or 63-118 km/h, are expected to affect Jamaica, while hurricane conditions also pose a possible threat to the island in 36 hours or less, the Meteorological Service of Jamaica said.

As at 10:00 am, the centre of Hurricane Elsa was located near latitude 13.4 degrees north, longitude 61.2 degrees west, or about 1,680 kilometres (1,050 miles) east-southeast of Morant Point, Jamaica.

The Met Service said Elsa is moving quickly towards the west-northwest near 46 km/h (29 mph) and this general motion is expected to continue during the next couple of days.

It said maximum sustained winds remain near 120 km/h (75 mph), with higher gusts, and little change in strength is forecast during the next 48 hours. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 35 km (25 miles) from the centre and tropical-storm-force winds extend as far as 220 km (140 miles) from the centre, the Met Service added.

On its forecast track, the centre of Hurricane Elsa will continue to move over the eastern Caribbean today and through the central Caribbean, south of Hispaniola on Saturday, before passing just east and north of Jamaica on Sunday morning.

Heavy showers and thunderstorms, along with winds reaching tropical-storm force, could begin to impact eastern sections of Jamaica as early as Saturday night, the Met Service said.

It explained that dangerous sea conditions associated with the hurricane are expected to spread across the Caribbean over the next 24-36 hours and as a result, all small craft operators, including fishers from the cays and banks, should by now be in port and are urged to complete their necessary safety precautions without delay.

The Meteorological Service continues to monitor the progress of this system.