KINGSTON, Jamaica — The area of low pressure over the west-central Caribbean Sea has now become a tropical depression and is forecast to develop into a tropical storm Monday evening.

A tropical storm warning remains in effect for Jamaica as the system continues to move closer to the island.

According to the Meteorological Service of Jamaica (Met Service), the tropical depression was about 310 kilometres (195 miles) south of Kingston, Jamaica or 370 kilometres (230 miles) southeast of Negril Point, Jamaica at 10:00 am.

The depression is moving toward the north near 15 km/h (nine mph) and a north-westward motion is expected to begin later Monday and forecast to continue for the next few days. Maximum sustained winds are near 55 km/h (35 mph) with higher gusts. Steady strengthening is forecast, and the depression is expected to become a tropical storm later Monday and a hurricane by Wednesday near Cuba, the Met Service said.

On the forecast track, the depression is expected to continue moving towards Jamaica and be near the island by late Monday evening or early Tuesday, near or over the Cayman Islands on Tuesday, and approach Cuba on Wednesday.

While the system is in the vicinity of Jamaica, it is expected to produce locally heavy rainfall and strong, gusty winds, primarily over southern and north-eastern parishes. Landslides should also be anticipated in vulnerable sections of the island.

For the marine areas, the forecast is for widespread showers and thunderstorms, which may be heavy at times, with strong gusty winds up to tropical storm force to affect all marine zones today and Tuesday, especially inshore and offshore the south coast.

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 Met Service said.