MIAMI, United States (CMC)—Residents in the Leeward Islands were on Friday told that they should monitor the progress of Tropical Storm Dolly, which is expected to pass near the islands this weekend.

The Miami-based National Hurricane Center said that the storm is continuing to move rapidly westward and is approximately 1,145 miles east of the Leeward Islands with maximum sustained winds of 40 miles per hour (mph).

The NHC said that while there are no coastal watches or warnings in effect, interests in the Leeward Islands should monitor the progress of the storm which is moving quickly toward the west near 24 mph and that “this motion is expected to continue for the next couple of days.

“On the forecast track, this system, or its remnants, should be nearing the Leeward Islands this weekend. Maximum sustained winds remain near 40 mph with higher gusts. Little change in strength is likely during the next couple of days, and Dolly is forecast to degenerate into a tropical wave before it reaches the Leeward Islands,” it said.

The NHC said that heavy rain from Dolly could affect the Leeward Islands late Saturday into Sunday, with rainfall moving into the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Hispaniola Sunday and Monday.

“This heavy rain may produce flash flooding within areas of higher terrain of the Leeward Islands,” it added.